Strengths for Each Man
Andre Berto
Photo by Stephanie Trapp
Andre Berto is known for his devastating uppercuts, but one of his best assets is his quick, powerful jab. Berto could virtually win a round off this punch alone.
If Berto’s jabs look as sharp as they did in his last fight against Chambers, he can easily control Lopez in the ring by using the jab to thwart Lopez’s attacks, slow him down and keep Lopez on the outside or let him exchange on the inside as he pleases.
In addition to the jab, Berto’s uppercuts, speed, timing, power and placement of punches will also serve him well in the ring. This brings us to another one of Berto’s assets: Virgil Hunter.
Hunter is not only known as one of the best trainers in the sport, but also as the fixer–the Ray Donovan of boxing. He’s taken fighters—some of them at their lowest point—and helped them get back on their feet.
What makes Hunter special, and benefits Berto tremendously, is how instead of training all of his fighters the same, he drills critical fundamentals and trains them to capitalize off their strengths.
All of the guidance and wisdom that comes with having Hunter in the corner definitely gives Berto an advantage over Lopez. Hunter will be able to see how things look outside the ring and keep Berto on track as long as he listens.
Josesito Lopez
Photo by Naoki Fukada
Josesito Lopez is known as “The Riverside Rocky” for a reason. He is tough, often underestimated and can without a doubt make a fight exciting.
Andre Berto is known for his speed and power, but we should not overlook the fact that Lopez has faced some of the toughest competitors in the welterweight division including Victor Ortiz, Canelo Alvarez and Marcos Maidana. Though Lopez only earned a victory against one of these three competitors, his experience with those kinds of boxers and hard-hitters is certainly a plus as he prepares to face the force that is Berto.
Besides experience, Lopez has a better command of foot and body positioning when it comes to working on the inside. Should Berto pull him into a fight, he should prepare for Lopez’s strategic head and foot placement, which is less risky than Berto’s square inside-fighting style.
Lopez can execute his power the most effectively if he can sit on his punches. By doing so he has a solid chance of catching Berto with a clean punch on the inside, which might actually send him to the canvas.
