Like everyone else, Andre Berto will be watching Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz on September 17. It’s a tough reality to face considering that back in April, Berto was literally just a punch or two away from facing Mayweather when he had Victor Ortiz reeling and badly hurt in the sixth following a second knockdown. But the Fates were not with Berto that night; Ortiz summoned a haymaker left that floored Berto and effectively swung the momentum and win back with him, which Ortiz has carried ever since in his highly-improved perception with media and fans alike.
Berto, as the other half of that Fight of the Year candidate, has experienced a totally different fallout. Despite showing heart rising from a first round blitz and the later knockdown, his merits as a legit fighter have largely gone unheralded. In some circles, some have even used the Ortiz fight in a contradictory manner to prove that Berto was “overrated” while equally using it as proof that Ortiz can compete with Mayweather. Whether fair or not, Andre Berto’s confidence remains high going into his comeback bout tomorrow (September 3) against Jan Zaveck for the IBF welterweight title. This one isn’t about a belt. It’s about one young fighter’s admitting his previous faults and humbling himself to commit to journey back to the top it took only one night to lose.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Before we address the Zaveck bout, let’s reflect on the Ortiz fight. Months later, how do you feel about your performance in that bout and the fact that you and Ortiz have gone in completely different directions as far as fan and media perception?
Andre Berto: It wasn’t my best performance. At the same time, every one wants to put Victor Ortiz on a pedestal because he came out with the win. It’s just a part of the pressure I go through. People hold me to a high standard. I just had a bad night. I know I could have performed better. I had to take it like a man and just keep going.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You’ve said that you were dehydrated after the fight to explain your performance. However, you’ve gone deep rounds in a lot of previous bouts. What made that problem surface against Ortiz?
Berto: That was the first time [I felt dehydrated]. I tried to come in light and use my speed and it backfired. I didn’t eat big lunches and didn’t consume enough fluids. That was dumb on my part. Victor Conte brings a whole new approach and knowledge. I never really had a nutritionist and took supplements before. His scientific knowledge is very important. He also emphasizes the importance of rest, which I never really did before. Every day was hard work in the gym. The rest days let my body recover. It’s opened my mind up to a lot of things.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: From what you’ve seen, do you look at Jan Zaveck as your standard, upright European boxer?
Berto: I’ve seen tapes of Zaveck putting pressure on guys and trying to move around and box. I’m not sure what he’s going to bring on fight night, but I’ll be ready.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: This is for the IBF title, but many consider it worthless and the WBC belt you lost as having more lineage merits. But as comebacking fighter, does it give you any extra motivation going into fight night? Also, you’ve eliminated a lot of media videos and Hip-Hop cross-promotion you used to do. Is it safe to say the loss made you rededicated to boxing?
Berto: I’ve built my name up to the point where I can get fights even without a belt, but having one does help promotion-wise. Yeah, my focus is completely on the fight. I didn’t even want to Tweet as much as I used do. I need to get over that hump before I get back to anything else.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: One or two more punches is basically what separated you from now fighting Zaveck instead of Floyd Mayweather. While that’s very humbling, I’m sure it can also be a huge motivation to know one bout can change everything.
Berto: That’s the thing about the boxing game people don’t understand. Just like anything else in the world you can turn into a star overnight. Other guys like De La Hoya, Mosley and Hopkins, people always said they were done after just one bad loss. They were always able to resurrect their careers. In the boxing game one bad performance sets you back, but after one big win you’re right back on. That’s the type of situation I’m facing now.
Andre Berto challenger Jan Zaveck for the IBF welterweight title this Saturday (September 3) on HBO at 10:30 PM.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
“But the Fates were…” haha, great and accurate reference in the plural to mythology.
Did I read that right? Victor Conte?!? his ‘nutrionist’? and didn’t Berto accuse Ortiz of juicing after their fight? Wasn’t Conte the one who gave Sugar Shane the Clear?
did I read that right?
LOL you sure did, aDboy. Victor Conte has been given new life in boxing as a “reformed” physician. He’s been working with Nonito Donaire, too. It’s raised eyebrows but so far no incriminating stuff has been discovered.
Wow! I suppose everyone has a right to a second chance though…
and Nonito has retained his services, too? Interesting. Maybe people will be watching closely to see the difference in how Berto looks and performs in his next fights.