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Thursday Nov 20, 2008

TSS Universe, we want to know: what should the odds me going into this. Berto told us he will win, but can see even money. What about you guys?

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Shane Mosley Vs. Andre Berto Is On

By Michael Woods

Antonio Margarito took a pass on fighting Sugar Shane Mosley. But fight fans shouldn’t cry a river, as a pretty decent Plan B has been hatched. WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto has stepped up, and agreed to fight SSM on January 24.

The fight has been agreed to, in principle, and will take place on in either Las Vegas or New York.

The 25-year-old Berto (23-0) told TSS that he’s pumped up for the scrap, and thinks the style matchup will give fans good bang for their buck. The fight will run on "free" HBO.

“I’m an exciting fighter, and I need to be fighting exciting opponents,” said Berto, who acknowledged that he’s itching to test himself and take on a superstar. “Me and Mosley have similar styles, we get touched and we give back two, three, four shots. He has speed and power like me. People had been talking about Shane against Floyd Mayweather. This is the next best thing.”

The 37-year-old Mosley (45-5) told TSS that some Ts need to be crossed, but he is pretty certain the old guard versus new guard tussle will take place. He applauds Berto for taking the match. “Accepting a fight like this, it’s the mark of a true warrior,” he said, as he offered the theory that Margarito’s decision not to fight him came more from promoter Bob Arum than himself.

When asked to compare Berto to someone he’s taken on in his 15-year pro career, he didn’t hesitate. “Myself. I told Richard Schaefer and Eric Gomez that this fight is probably harder for me than Margarito.”

TSS asked Berto about that contention, and the Floridian agreed. “From his perspective, he’d have the speed advantage over Margarito,” Berto said. “It’s easier to fight a straight-forward guy, you saw that with Hopkins facing Pavlik.”

“Comparing himself to me, that’s a compliment. I was telling friends not that long ago, Shane Mosley was my favorite fighter. Now he’s my opponent.”

Thanks to Tim Struby, ESPN The Magazine writer, for putting us in touch with Berto. A Struby feature on Berto will run in ESPN Mag in January.

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Contact Michael Woods @ TheSweetScience.com


donputo69 regreting going to england:  now this is what im talking about...berto vs mosley....when mosley steps in the ring with berto, he will be looking at himself from 10yrs ago...now we will see if berto is up there with the cotto's, margarito's, williams's, and all of the other top dogs at welterweight....this is going to be a big fight for berto...if he loses to mosley, then we can't consider him as a top dog at the welterweight division...as for mosley?...a win against berto should also put him up there in line for another crack at cotto or margarito if margarito decides to fight him for more money....holla back!!!!
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 06:01:29 PM
Anony:  ::::: YES!!! THIS IS A GOOD ONE!!!! :::: NOW I CAN FIGHT MARGARITO IN JANUARY ::::::: I'LL BE RICH WHEN I KO HIM ::: hehehehe
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 06:43:12 PM
rudy:  I think Berto is going to punish Mosley, overwhelm the fading warrior with his speed and power combinations. Everyone says Mosley has a great chin but against Berto it could end w/a TKO stoppage, Sugar Shane might end up taking a real beating against the young lion making his way up the ladder.
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 06:44:47 PM
donputo69 regreting going to england:  I disagree with you rudy...I think this fight is going to be a good one...I don't think berto is gonna punish shane...he might have some good moments that night, but I don't see berto punishing shane...and trust me...SHANE HAS A CHIN...lets talk about berto's chin?...his chin has been tested a few times...and the results were not very good...he has a weak chin...that's why im saying this fight its going to be very interesting...holla back!!!!
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 06:53:06 PM
arenas:  good match & good break for berto. but the big pressure is on berto. it's a make or break fight for berto. he wins he step up into stardom. he loses he becomes class b.
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 07:16:16 PM
Real Talk:  he he he he heeeee . I think the Bobfather is shook up shook up shook up . GBP is making moves like a chess match . I doubt if Margo had a problem fighting Shane . That fight should ' ve happen . Margo is rusty , dusty , can't be trusty !!!! The longer he waits to fight the more likely he loses when faced with stiff adversity . I have to agree with donputo69 on this one . It's gonna be very good . I 'll have the Grey Goose on chill for this one . The chin comments from dp69 are spot on and took the words out of my mouth . Berto may be more explosive but Shane has savy and will rumble . Man .... that's what I'm talking about . My respect level goes up for Shane every year , Oscar should take notes . Peace n Blessings
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 07:17:09 PM
Waldorf:  Why? do we have to wait for another Margarito vs Cotto, when he beat the snot outta him, this is BS there is Paul, Berto or Sugar and Margarito loss to Paul. Where is the outrage that this promoter or PIMP get away this dung heap. He barely paid them for last fight. Wake up! Cotto and Margarito get Golden Boy or promote yourself.
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 07:17:20 PM
Fache:  Margarito is ducking Williams!!!!Trying to fight Cotto again when Williams is ready and willing. Margarito is afraid of Williams.
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 08:43:08 PM
MadMan18:  Shane Mosley will finally receive redemption.... A win here places him back in line for demanding match against the winner of Margarito-Cotto II...... Margarito has lost a little of my respect for not fighting Shane. I don't care whether it was his choice or Bob Arum... either way, it's crap. This fight will bring Mosley up and it it did when he defeated Luis Collozo.
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 09:07:51 PM
Fistic Fury:  I think because of styles this fight will be a tougher task than Margarito for Sugar. I think Margarito is very beatable for a good boxer who moves very well and that boxer would probably need a decent chin, that pretty much describes Sugar. The only doubt I had was whether Shane could keep the movement going throughout the whole fight because he would definitely need to. As for Berto, I think he matches Mosley for speed which is a problem he wouldn't face against Margarito which leads me to believe the smart money is on Berto UD, however DONPUTO nailed it when he said Berto was lacking in the chin department so it makes for an interesting fight. KEEP THE BIG FIGHTS COMING AT WELTER, THERE IS PLENTY THERE TO MAKE!!!
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 09:15:50 PM
in touch :  tough fight. margarito was very beatable by mosley. berto is a good boxer. mosley's losses came against good boxers. hopefully mosley has a good plan, rather than just to out-tough berto. 'cause berto is strong and fast. chin not tested. if mosley hits him hard and fast and with big numbers maybe he can test it.
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 10:42:06 PM
caesar:  I hear the argument that berto doesnt have a solid chin but i havent seen him get hurt yet. Ive seen some flashes of brilliance from berto, and ive seen some poor boxing. I dont know which fighter will show up, but i will still pick the youngster to win. As for Margo, williams beat him without a doubt. If he won i could see why he wouldnt want a rematch (a la calzaghe) but he lost. Doesnt make sense.
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 11:15:15 PM
caesar:  I hear the argument that berto doesnt have a solid chin but i havent seen him get hurt yet. Ive seen some flashes of brilliance from berto, and ive seen some poor boxing. I dont know which fighter will show up, but i will still pick the youngster to win. As for Margo, williams beat him without a doubt. If he won i could see why he wouldnt want a rematch (a la calzaghe) but he lost. Doesnt make sense.
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 11:18:17 PM
Tommy R:  I might like this fight even more so than marg vs shane, style wise this is a good fight, very similiar body types and fighting styles, both shorter, physically strong fighters w very good power and speed, mosley has a worlllllllllllld of experience over berto which i feel makes up for anything he may have lost in the last couple of years, true he had the same advantage over cotto but remember that cotto prior to mosley had been in with better over all opp and fought on much bigger stages than berto, in other words cotto was far more seasoned than berto entering the mosley fight, really hope this fight lands in ny at msg so i can be there, i can see this fight going down to the dam wire and it coming down to who can dig the deepest
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 11:20:36 PM
The Truth?:  This report is being disputed on another website.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 02:39:52 AM
gibola:  If Mosley is 70 per cent of what he once was - he wins clearly. If he is as bad as he looked against Mayorga he will get knocked out in the late rounds or suffer a wide decison loss. This fight will definitely tell us what Shane has left and whether he should carry on.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 05:45:38 AM
andy from newcastle:  What is the problem with Margarito's camp? Anyway, we won't cry, this is as good as it gets. I don't think Berto has the experience to deal for 12 with SSM, who is as hungry as ever. At least GBP still have one real fighter left. Go Shane, the best snowboarding boxer around. Toonoy
Friday Nov 21, 2008 06:43:53 AM
Pete Steward:  Thank you gibola I like Berto but I laugh when people (DONPUTO) say he's a younger version of sugar Shane. Yeah berto has speed and little pop in his punches. But what makes Shane special even in his twilight years are his bullet proof chin & body and his heart. He's like Gatti with light years more talent. He tore through the lightweight division like Godzilla Undefeated jumped 12pounds skipping the jrwelterweights (like Duran) up to welterweight and beat a prime Oscar to become champion and P4P King. After 16 year as pro His only losses are to prime Avoided Monsters Forrest & Wright and gave a prime then undefeated Cotto the fight of his life....till margarito. Shane has never been stopped & rarely even hurt. Berto should win based on his youth but if Shane can raise his game like B-HOP did Vs Pavlik. I won’t be surprised if he wins. Sugar Ray Leonard is no Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Shane Mosley is no Sugar Ray Leonard. Time will tell us how sweet Berto is. He’s dam good but on Jan 24 2009 will see if he's great.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 08:21:40 AM
Ben O'connor:  WHAT A FIGHT!!! loving this one! think berto's crisper punches will be the difference in this one, but can shane use that once electric speed and counter berto's wide body hooks and give andre a REAL chin check!!! cant wait man. i take berto by late stoppage to make a statement in a classic!!! heart says ssm tho!!!
Friday Nov 21, 2008 08:33:40 AM
Zen18:  I dont think this fight is going to happen. Its a stadegy to flush out Margarito. You all been fooled. Margarito and Arum will step up and the original fight will go a scheduled. WAIT AND SEE!!!
Friday Nov 21, 2008 10:16:38 AM
dan:  love shane mosely think hes too old for this bout would like to see him with margarito over the youngster youth will prevail in this one. prime mosely would win even though he is still nice hes far from his prime.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 12:03:47 PM
Ching Lee:  Wow! Berto is a true fighter. None of this Tijuana tornado crap. Throw yourself head first as a fighter, none of this "does this make sense crap" or "is there enough money" or "what if his style is not good for me". It's about pride and giving fight fans what they want! Thanks berto and mosley ! Now I can't wait til Clottey, Williams, and other guys just behind the scene to get into the action. Margarito better stop ducking opponents, or he'll find the opportunities come and go once he loses and then he'll be back to a trilogy, Cintron v. Margartio III. Tho I hope Cintron gets into the mix too, I want to see more of him and agst other stars. Pc! Nice article. and great news!
Friday Nov 21, 2008 12:40:15 PM
Radam G aka Humble PRG:  Pete is spot on. By commenting, I'd only be mimicing his words. Then all you haters and posers will call me a copy cat. So, I will stick with seconding Pete. (What's up with my man, Donputo69 regretting going to England? Maybe bad food or snubbish Brits. There is no place like home. Come on, Don, click your heels three times and get on that jet back to the good ole USA. Sing the song "I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane." Man, you shoulda, coulda went to the Philippines. My peeps would treat you righteous. Holla!
Friday Nov 21, 2008 12:48:40 PM
ALXZANDR:  this fight will end in a MAJORITY DRAW! the third card will go to Berto.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 01:12:30 PM
Kool-Aid:  This is what I'm talkin' about!!! Mosley v. Berto...nice fight coming up! I got Mosley by unanimous decision. Berto is a good fight but Mosley is a great fighter.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 02:21:18 PM
SchoolOfHardKnocks :  Right now I'm leaning toward Berto to beat Mosley. Don't think Mosley can handle Berto's speed, and Berto can punch. So I will pick Berto in this fight. Williams had told Mosley he would fight him at any weight Mosley wanted and anywhere..lol Mosley would have gotten the big beatdown for sure.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 02:48:51 PM
andy from newcastle:  Donputo, if you are still in the UK next week, get a train up North to Newcastle, and head out on the town early Friday night. There's not a much better experience than Friday night in the Toon. Who knows, if you talk nicely to Fistic he may offer to meet up with you and show you his favourite pubs. Then head north again to Scotland and visit the west coast. Hire a car and drive around. Don't write Britain off because of the south, big mistake. Toonoy
Friday Nov 21, 2008 03:18:44 PM
donputo69 still looking for queen elizabeth:  hey andy...don't get me wrong, but im a new yorker....theres no place like new york....but I will be here next week and I will head up there to newcastle...I just hope theres a lot of nice women up there...lol...hey radam...don't worry...I will visit your country next year...I just hope I don't get kidnapped...lol...but I doubt it...I know your peeps won't do that to the don....lol...holla back...
Friday Nov 21, 2008 06:20:12 PM
Fistic Fury:  I wouldn't say the women are that nice DONPUTO but they're easy and thats all that matters. Can go to most places in Newcastle and have a good night except Shearers, AVOID! Where ever you gannin just sing out the blaydon races and you'll be welcomed with open arms...
Friday Nov 21, 2008 09:54:15 PM
DaveB:  Berto/Mosley is somewhat like a crossroads fight but not quite. Berto is still young so he can come back if he loses. For Mosley it would depend upon what kind of beatdown he gets. Right now I see weak spots in Berto's game but youth can make up for those weaknesses. I think that Mosley looked good in his last fight although I know others disagree. caesar - I think the reason Margarito will not fight Williams is because he learned his lesson. He sure as heck doesn't figure to do any better the second time around. I'm sure that is why Arum wanted Williams to fight Pavlik, he was sure Pavlik would win killing two birds with one stone. Now they are looking for any excuse to avoid Williams. I was sure they would give Mosley a go. Come on Margarito. I would like to see Cotto ease his way back into the picture before another brutal bout.
Friday Nov 21, 2008 10:38:08 PM
andy from newcastle:  Good on you Don, just make sure it's a Friday, that's the real top night. As Fistic says, lots of the women would do well in dog shows, but they are slappers, so a dude like you should have a good time. Once they hear your yank accent they'll treat you like royalty, and if you don't know the Blaydon Races they'll teach you it before you leave. Don't stay in one pub for more than one pint, head out and walk to the next one. Remember it's the city centre we're talking about here, but it's small enough to walk around. Head down hill to the riverside as well, just ask anybody and they'll see you right. This isn't faceless London. Tourism Toonoy
Saturday Nov 22, 2008 11:12:31 AM
J.Goon:  I think Berto reminds me of Floyd mayweather instead of mosely...he's quick on his feet..has the same type of defense..but I think Berto has more power...Shane's gonna have along if not short night...because Berto fights for 12 rounds..Mosley had problems wit Mayorga..imagine what Berto's gonna do to him
Saturday Nov 22, 2008 12:13:26 PM
andy from newcastle:  DON,check out the Jhonny Gonzalez article, they've decided to edit me out of this one. Toonoy
Saturday Nov 22, 2008 02:22:02 PM
Abraham UIT:  Berto will defeat Shane Mosley because at this point he's quicker and hits harder. Most say and might agree that a big part of Boxing is a matter of styles. Some who watch Boxing long enough can usually see the outcomes in advance. Berto vs. Mosley really is a no brainer.Berto by UD. Put Berto in with a fighter like Paul Williams or Antonio Margarito then that becomes a problem. Two huge welterweights who styles would destroy Berto at this point. Perhaps if Berto can get by Mosley which he should then a good style fight would be against someone like Luis Collazo or another welterweight say Carlos Quintana. Berto beats Mosley with more mountains to climb. With the expoure Berto gets he needs to fight better opponents. Fighting Mosley is a big step forward.
Saturday Nov 22, 2008 02:35:39 PM
Pete Steward:  Zen 18 you’re absolutely right I just read that berto's camp pulled from the fight for number reasons money venue possible upset etc. I'd prefer the Margarito fight like everyone else would. And also I think it's better fight for Mosley style wise like Holyfield (though not as bad) Shane is slowing down the last thing he needs to face is a younger version of himself even if it is a poormans version. Strong fast with power & hard to hit. He'd better off facing a come forward high volume punching bulldozer. Though strong is slow and easy to hit with counter shots. I AM NOT CRAZY PEOPLE Shanes iron chin warriors heart will see him through the war unlike cotto who quit. He survived a brutal beating from Forrest in there 1st fight and though older and slower now has much more experience. Mosley has better chance (though barely) if faces the Tijuana Tornado.
Monday Nov 24, 2008 10:20:27 AM
Rayful888884:  ok, first off here's what is going to happen. Berto will have his first loss and maybe by KO or if he so happens to fight the whole last rounds like he has with Urango and others he might get away with his first loss by decision. But really lets face the facts Berto has ducked more fights then margarito in the first place. Clottey, Mosley, Cotto are the top dogs in welterweight period with the exception of Paul Williams who can easily move down to dominate any of those and PacMan who has no problem moving up to better fights. Berto has turned down a $20,000 (i believe) deal to spar only with Mayweather. Now come on, this is Berto's first and real fight he will finally get, and stepping in the ring with SSM is going to be a bad idea. SSM has been in the toughest fights with the best and with a chin like his he will not get KO'd but will have to face the cat and mouse test with Berto. But with a win for Berto we will see a improvement of confidence and a better and more exciting future matchups for him. Beating SSM will open up the rest of the doors in the hallway. But WELTERWEIGHT is dominating this sport period. SSM vs Berto, PacMan vs Cotto, hell if Rito don't want Williams then there's Clottey, atleast that will help tie some knots to the Cotto Rito first fight....
Saturday Jul 25, 2009 08:11:46 AM
Johnny:  At first I thought a Mosley v Berto match would be in favor of Berto, but lately I'm not so sure. In his recent bouts, Berto has been fighting more like Hatton i.e. punch then grab or punch while launching his body into the opponent so they would be off balanced. That really turned me off because he was so Mosley like up until his past three bouts or so. They're both near mirror images of each other, that should mean Mosley's experience should pull him through. Eventhough I love boxing and it's the greatest sport out there, it is also a joke the way promoters jerk around the fans by not putting on the best fights possible! Pacquiao and Mayweather should not be avoiding Mosley, rather they should try to prove they are the best, like the eighties welterweights. Hearns, Duran, Leonard and the other top 147lbsers had it out at least once. Bob Arum for what ever reason, doesn't want Mosley because his dislike for De La Hoya and or he wants to still have a stake in the division since he promotes Cotto and Pacquiao. I'm sorry but the Government might have to get envolved so this kind of crap does not continue to happen!
Tuesday Jul 28, 2009 01:51:04 PM
Francisco:  It's about TIME!!! Give it up to Berto for having the courage to step up and fight a top tier fighter. Now we can really see what "Berto" has to offer.
Sunday Nov 8, 2009 11:33:51 AM
skj319:  I was at the fight in Saratoga in 2007 when Berto got knocked down for the only time in his career vs cosme. Berto got up and dominated the fight from that point on. That knockdown gave him the confidence and it showed. I actually was lucky enough to talk with him for a few minutes and get pics with him. This fight was the stepping stone to his fame. He is young and has not even hit his prime. Berto all the vs Mosley...
Monday Nov 9, 2009 05:52:07 PM
kaliko:  Are you serious skj319 you're basing your perdiction on that fight you're truely not a boxing fan mosley has fought the best and beaten them. Berto will lose because mosley is a true veteran of the sport
Wednesday Nov 11, 2009 02:21:32 PM
MargacheatoIsTrash:  Why so much Margacheato talk? Are the fans in here blind or have yall been hiding under a rock for the past year? Cotto doesnt have to hive that cheater another chance but if he did i think hed kill him without the handwraps/plaster. As for Mosley vs Berto Mosley wins easily trust me on that anyone want to bet a benjamin on it??
Thursday Nov 12, 2009 06:37:50 PM
ataa:  you people are sayin that margrito is ducking william but williams has already beaten him so why face him agian when williams will be bigger and better just like last time they faught and williams is fighting at middleweight aniway.
Monday Nov 16, 2009 08:40:53 AM
Anonymous user:  this is andre berto's time..
Wednesday Nov 18, 2009 10:57:12 PM

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