MUCH has been made about how little Andre Berto deserves his lucrative fight with Floyd Mayweather on Saturday night (September 12). The fact that there are much better options for Floyd, Berto’s poor form or just that he isn’t actually that good – the list of gripes goes on.
Whatever the case, the pair will meet in a ring on Saturday and one of them will be declared the winner, so we’ve taken a look at how they match up in certain departments. Does Berto stand a chance in any department? Click below to find out.
Speed
AT 38, Mayweather is by no means as fast as he was in his younger years when his dazzling hand speed and movement would befuddle opponents, but he still holds a major edge in this area over most fighters.
He rarely throws combinations, but instead pot-shots his foes with laser-like precision and, still at his age, incomprehensible speed – many of his former victims speak about not being able to see his shots coming.
Berto has always had particularly fast hands and, conversely, uses them to land sharp combinations, usually punctuated by his vicious uppercuts on the inside. Even after his shoulder surgery, Berto has maintained his quickness though his lack of accuracy means he expends a significant amount of energy when throwing.
Advantage: Mayweather
Power
ON stats alone, Berto supposedly has more punching power, with a 70% knockout ratio, compared to Floyd’s 54% and four of his last five wins coming inside the distance, while Mayweather’s last stoppage came in 2011.
However, there’s more to the story than just numbers. Mayweather’s precision and well-timed counters make his punches that much more potent, despite the hand troubles he’s dealt with throughout his career. Though he may not be as strong as his musclebound adversary, Mayweather gets more leverage on his punches, thus making them more punishing.
Earlier in his career, Berto could clean out opponents with single shots, particularly his right hand over the top, but since his shoulder surgery and as time has gone on his clubbing power seems diminished. His stoppage win over Josesito Lopez in March suggests he can clearly still whack, though.
Advantage: Mayweather
Footwork
WHILE Mayweather’s shoulder-roll defence has become one of his trademark attributes, his swift feet are also a major part of his defensive wizardry. Once he finds his range, and it doesn’t take him long, he can move in and out of it as he pleases, utilising his long reach to box from the outside.
Time has inevitably slowed Floyd’s foot movement but he is still able to out-manoeuvre his younger opponents. He also knows when to plant his feet to add power to his shots, while keeping just enough bounce in his back foot to be able to pivot away, or back off should he come under fire.
Berto however has never been known for his adept footwork. Though he claims to have focused on it in his training camp for Floyd, it seems unlikely Berto will be light on his feet and nipping in and out of range come fight night. Instead, he usually prefers to take centre ring and trade with his opponent which, at times, has been his downfall. He produces his best work on the front foot and when backed up, can struggle to get himself out of trouble.
Advantage: Mayweather
Defence
SIMPLY put, when it comes to defensive capabilities, Mayweather is in another galaxy. Few men can claim to have put Floyd under real pressure and none can legitimately state they came close to beating him. Although he may not be ‘The Best Ever’ as he constantly claims, he is undoubtedly one of the best in history when it comes to not getting hit. Always one step ahead, Mayweather nullifies his victim’s strengths in any way he can.
Berto, meanwhile, is much easier to find. Wars with Robert Guerrero, Victor Ortiz and Jesus Soto Karass have shown how Berto can so easily eschew defence for simply trading bombs. At times, he has tried to adopt Mayweather’s famed shoulder roll but to little avail.
Advantage: Mayweather
Mentality
CERTAINLY the most difficult attribute to measure, but both men are clearly mentally strong individuals having fought at the top level. However, yet again, Mayweather holds a considerable advantage.
His superhuman self-confidence makes defeat an impossibility for him, while Berto will always have lingering doubts over his chances, having thrice been bested.
Mayweather is also a master of mind games and has even hinted that Berto has been spied on while training, which could play on the mind of the challenger.
Advantage: Mayweather
Chin
OFFICIALLY, Mayweather has only been down once in his career, in the sixth round of his decision win over Carlos Hernandez in 2001. However, it came from Floyd injuring his hand while landing a punch, rather than from being hit.
Since then, Shane Mosley is the only man to have come close to hurting Mayweather, rocking him with a brace of rights in their 2010 clash. His chin holds up well when clipped, though his ability to roll with punches helps to take the sting out of them.
Berto has been down numerous times in his career, mainly due to his tendency to get involved in firefights.
Advantage: Mayweather
Heart
TO date, Mayweather has not really been forced to dig deep and fight in the trenches. Yes, Marcos Maidana, Miguel Cotto and Jose Luis Castillo all bullied Mayweather at times but ultimately, he has had things his own way. At times though, when opponents have used rough-house tactics, he has predominantly looked to the referee to intervene.
When his chin has let him down, Berto’s resilience has come to the fore. Decked early by both Victor Ortiz and Robert Guerrero, he rose to fight back and although he lost both fights, he lasted the distance and kept things competitive. He badly injured his shoulder against Jesus Soto Karass, but continued fighting as long as his body would let him.
Fault him elsewhere, but you can’t deny Berto’s bravery.
Advantage: Berto
CLICK HERE TO SEE BERTO PROMISE THIS WON’T BE A BORING MAYWEATHER FIGHT
