And the Premier Boxing Champion (PBC) cards just keep getting better and better. This time Andre Berto and Josesito Lopez will come face-to-face in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds tomorrow night on Spike TV–at 9:00 pm, EST. Bottom line: this is not a fight you want to miss.
What I find interesting about Berto and Lopez is that they both are in a process of rebuilding their careers. Lopez has won three fights in a row since two back-to-back losses to Canelo Alvarez in 2012 and Marcos Maidana in 2013. Berto has just one victory since an awful performance against Robert Guerrero in 2012 and Jesus Soto Karass in 2013.
Both fighters made adjustments during the difficult moments in their career. Lopez recommitted himself to the sport full-time; Berto went back to the drawing board and hired 2011 Trainer of the Year, Virgil Hunter.
So what we’re dealing with in this fight is not who these men were, but who they are in the process of becoming—becoming again for at least one of them. Last September Berto looked like a refined version of his former self against Steve Upsher Chambers, while Lopez seemed quite bored fighting Rafael Cobos. Maybe to Lopez, Cobos was just a stepping-stone until he could face better competition.
Lopez has gotten his wish, as the match with Berto is certainly not a stepping-stone fight. This is an important career moment for Berto and Lopez, who are both trying to prove they are worthy of taking on elite competition again. Many of their previous competitors have gone on to do so, and have even had the chance to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In a way Berto and Lopez, both talented individuals, have become two of the forgotten stars of the welterweight division. Tomorrow night will be their chance to prove they are still worthy of our attention and that of their peers.
http://www.wedgies.com/question/5501d577c2d8040a0000c8a4
Tale of the Tape
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There are few significant differences between Andre Berto and Josesito Lopez based on the stats the tape gives us. Lopez is noticeably three inches taller than Berto, but with only a half-inch reach advantage.
Though Berto is shorter, his height and slightly smaller reach should not affect his ability to get off his jab, which can be especially effective to the body on a taller Lopez. When Lopez goes into boxing mode, he may use his longer arm reach to also work the jab against Berto.
Both fighters have an orthodox stance, so we should not expect to see any awkward tripping or foot placement as we might for an orthodox-southpaw matchup. I anticipate that their stances will mean the most when Berto and Lopez are working on the inside.
Berto has a very square stance for inside fighting; Lopez uses his foot placement to smother at least one of his opponent’s arms by posting up against him at an angle. The exchanges between Lopez and Berto will definitely become intense as the work on the inside heats up.
Berto boasts a 68.75 knockout percentage with Lopez not far behind, holding a 47.5 ratio to his name.
Main Storylines
Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions
Andre Berto and Josesito Lopez are entering this fight equally confident they will beat the other. During the media conference call in anticipation of the PBC bout, Berto gave some insight on his expectations of the fight, as well his how he expects fans to receive his performance against Lopez:
[otw_shortcode_quote border=”bordered” border_style=”bordered”]“At the end of the day we want to come out with a win. The most important thing right now is just to make sure to get the win and look spectacular doing it…I think in time you’re going to be able to see a complete fighter in Andre Berto.”[/otw_shortcode_quote]
This is a rather hopeful tone, one that contrasts a more somber Berto who admitted just a few years ago (via Fight Hub TV) that boxing wasn’t as fun for him as it used to be. But Berto seems to have had a change of perspective after overcoming obstacles including a shoulder injury that required surgery and chaos in his corner.
Unlike Lopez’s last fight that he treated as a sparring match, he understands that Berto is the biggest fight of his career, and he has declared he is coming to fight (via ESPN):
[otw_shortcode_quote border=”bordered” border_style=”bordered”]“I’m getting prepared for the best Andre Berto that I’ve seen. He’s a great fighter and a great ex-world champ. But I think the bigger difference in this fight is not exactly what Berto is going to bring to the table but what I’m going to be able to bring…I think most importantly I have to dictate the pace. I have to control the fight. If I can do that, I can come away with the victory.”[/otw_shortcode_quote]
By bring to the table, Lopez means the pressure and intensity that is characteristic of a natural-born fighter. One thing is for sure, Berto and Lopez know the impact of this fight’s outcome to the future of their careers, and neither one of them is backing down or shying away from the challenge.
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.
Weaknesses for Each
Andre Berto
Photo by Naoki Fukada
It is no secret that Andre Berto does not have the greatest defense, and for this fight it matters that he is the most vulnerable on the inside. This is mainly because he cannot hold his opponent that well and his body positioning is very square. When you are literally toe-to-toe with an opponent, you put yourself at a greater risk of being tagged by hooks to the head and body, and uppercuts.
On the inside you want to make your opponent uncomfortable, eliminate as many targets on your body as possible (using your gloves to protect your head, elbows and forearms to protect your body), and disable at least one of your opponents’ fighting hands when necessary, by placing your body against theirs strategically.
Lopez has a more thorough command of these tactics than Berto. Berto can get away with his fighting style if he quickly gets in and out of inside exchanges. However, Berto may be in for some trouble if Lopez keeps the fight on the inside and is not afraid to counter his attacks.
Josesito Lopez
Photo by Josh Hedges/Getty Images North America
I believe it will be difficult for Josesito Lopez to not brawl with Andre Berto—it’s simply in his DNA. Lopez may try to box initially, but he usually retreats to boxing when he’s forced to (i.e. when he’s hurt).
When it comes to boxing, Berto has Lopez beat, especially with a brain like Hunter’s in his corner. So if Lopez instigates a brawl, Berto can engage or toy with him on the outside using the jab and the right hand. If Lopez wants to box, Berto can break him down easily.
Except when fighting on the inside, Lopez naturally tends to back up, even when circling, which is a style of movement that is not conducive for fighting someone like Berto. Retreating backwards will give Berto the confidence he needs in between exchanges to stalk to Lopez, and therefore control him. Unless Lopez has recently refined his style, that kind of movement will not take him out of Berto’s line of fire.
Winner and Why
Photo by Naoki Fukada
Berto simply has enough versatility to beat Lopez. He can work a vicious jab and right hand on the outside, and he is not afraid to put punches together when he’s in close. This fight will be the most competitive on the inside and one-sided on the outside. If Berto controls the pace and style of the bout, Lopez will put most of his effort into the exchanges on the inside and will become frustrated at every other range.
Knowing both fighters can be dropped, the only way I see Lopez winning is by way of knock out, or technical knockout. Given Berto’s skill set, and that listens to Hunter in between rounds, there is a highly unlikely chance that Lopez will outbox him. As long as Berto keeps his cool when things heat up during the fight, he may just find himself coming out of this with a victory.
If anyone knows Berto, they know he is not one to have a boring fight. Boxing and brawling is the holy grail of fan excitement, and I am confident that he will not disappoint in this department or getting a win over Lopez tomorrow night.
Prediction: Andre Berto
