HBO could be setting up a Berto vs the winner of Margarito - Mosley

[El Chicano]

The first two HBO cards of the year feature Welterweight stars on back to back weekends. Historically, HBO has done this to set up future fights. Berto came out the victor as expected. HBO strategically set up the Berto fight to take place one week before the Tony vs Shane showdown to create interest in the possibility of a Berto fight with the winner.

A rematch with Cotto is the most likely next fight for Tony provided he wins against Mosley, however, there is always the possibility of Cotto losing his fight with Jennings. This is a business and HBO is ensuring options in the event of a Cotto loss. If Shane wins against Tony, then there is an intriguing matchup that can be made between Shane and Berto, with both having recent hard fought victories over Louie Collazo.

With all that said, how would you all like to see Andre Berto vs Margarito or Mosley and who do you think would win?

[Silencers]

Berto isn't ready and I think DiBella knows it, he won't risk Berto so soon. Mosley-Collazo was not a really tough fight for Mosley either.

[El Chicano]

Berto isn't ready and I think DiBella knows it, he won't risk Berto so soon. Mosley-Collazo was not a really tough fight for Mosley either.

Possibly a fight with the loser of Mosley - Margarito? You know HBO strategically sets up these back to back weekends for a reason right.

While Mosely did not have as hard a time with Collazo, If a Berto vs Mosley fight takes place, HBO would use Lou as an interest point being that he was a common opponent.

[Sealhound]

Depending on what happens i the Margarito/Mosely fight I think Berto could face Mosely soon. If he beats the Tiuanja Tornado it won't happen but if Mosey crumbles then mid-09 we may see Berto/Mosley.

[Silencers]

Possibly a fight with the loser of Mosley - Margarito? You know HBO strategically sets up these back to back weekends for a reason right.

While Mosely did not have as hard a time with Collazo, If a Berto vs Mosley fight takes place, HBO would use Lou as an interest point being that he was a common opponent.

Maybe Mosley depending on how he looks against Margarito, strategy or not, I doubt DiBella will risk Berto so early, I'm expecting a few more soft touches for Berto before taking a step up again.

[El Chicano]

Maybe Mosley depending on how he looks against Margarito, strategy or not, I doubt DiBella will risk Berto so early, I'm expecting a few more soft touches for Berto before taking a step up again.

I hear ya, but Berto is the holder of the green strap. He needs to defend it like a Champion and not be matched up as a contending prospect anymore. HBO would probably like to have a Mosley vs Berto fight in the near future; power boxing vs power boxing. In all actuallity though, we'll probably get Berto vs Jesus Soto Karass seeing how the WBC has him ranked number 2 right under Collazo (#1).

[Silencers]

I hear ya, but Berto is the holder of the green strap. He needs to defend it like a Champion and not be matched up as a contending prospect anymore. HBO would probably like to have a Mosley vs Berto fight in the near future; power boxing vs power boxing. In all actuallity though, we'll probably get Berto vs Jesus Soto Karass seeing how the WBC has him ranked number 2 right under Collazo (#1).

I wouldn't be surprised if he fights mandatories for the next year before taking another step up, maybe he'll rematch Collazo or fight someone like Quintana towards the end of the year but I don't expect DiBella to put him in against any of the top guys in the division.

[El Chicano]

I wouldn't be surprised if he fights mandatories for the next year before taking another step up, maybe he'll rematch Collazo or fight someone like Quintana towards the end of the year but I don't expect DiBella to put him in against any of the top guys in the division.

At this point, DiBella should not be able to match Berto up with prospect level fights; Berto is the WBC Champ and he should fight his mandatories (Soto-Karass) or take big money fights, i.e., Margarito or Mosley in lieu of the mandatory (at a cost).

[Silencers]

At this point, DiBella should not be able to match Berto up with prospect level fights; Berto is the WBC Champ and he should fight his mandatories (Soto-Karass) or take big money fights, i.e., Margarito or Mosley in lieu of the mandatory (at a cost).

Fighting mandatories are pretty much fighting contender level fighters but just not the best of the best so that's probably what DiBella will do with maybe a rematch with Collazo sandwiched in there or as I said, maybe a Quintana fight towards the end of the year, which wouldn't be too hard to make because Quintana is also promoted by DiBella, a Quintana fight would also represent another step up for Berto while not fighting the best of the best.

[El Chicano]

Fighting mandatories are pretty much fighting contender level fighters but just not the best of the best so that's probably what DiBella will do with maybe a rematch with Collazo sandwiched in there or as I said, maybe a Quintana fight towards the end of the year, which wouldn't be too hard to make because Quintana is also promoted by DiBella, a Quintana fight would also represent another step up for Berto while not fighting the best of the best.

"Fighting mandatories are pretty much fighting contender level fighters"

This is not true, it depends on the sanctioning body. The WBC has Soto-Karass as the next one in line after Collazo. If Berto was the WBO Champ, his mandatory would be Miguel Cotto and after him Shane Mosley. Berto is no longer a contender. He must step up and take on the big fights. **** DiBella.