Former welterweight world champion says he has endless opportunities after PBC on FOX victory and promises to give any of the 147-pound champions or top contenders a "dog fight."
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Andre Berto turns 35 in September, but the former two-time welterweight champ demonstrated on Saturday night that “I still have that dog in me.”
Berto (32-5, 24 KOs) overcame a third-round knockdown and a cut over his right eye to score a close, split-decision victory over left-handed former two-division champion Devon Alexander (27-5-1, 14 KOs) in the main event of PBC on FOX at NYCB LIVE, formerly the Nassau Coliseum, in Uniondale, New York.
The victory helped Berto, a former welterweight champion, rebound from a 16-month ring absence and a ninth-round TKO loss to former 147-pound champion Shawn Porter in April 2017.
“I had a great training camp after being out for a good year-and-a-half, but I could have used my jab better and thrown more combinations,” said Berto, who is trained by Virgil Hunter. “Still, I was able to adjust, landing punches on the inside to slow him down.
“I think this was a testament showing that, even at almost 35, I’m still sharp, able to close out strong, and that, based on my name and reputation in the game for 15 years, people know a fight with me will always be exciting. At the end of the day, I still have that dog in me and I’m a great fight for anybody, so the possibilities are endless.”
Berto remains a marquee name for top contenders within the deep, 147-pound division. Berto is angling for a match against welterweight champions Errol Spence Jr. or Keith Thurman.
“Spence is one of those guys who is a tough, young buck, but I won’t back down, so, of course, that would be an exciting fight because, like I showed tonight, I’m just a dog,” said Berto.
“ At the end of the day, I still have that dog in me and I’m a great fight for anybody, so the possibilities are endless. ” Former Welterweight Champ Andre Berto
“Thurman is like my little brother, and every time his name and mine are thrown up in conversation, we don’t really speak to much on that. I just wanna see him do well, but if a fight between us makes sense, we can make it happen, for sure. I’ll give any of these guys a run for their money.”
Thurman is coming off elbow surgery and rehab following victories over Porter by unanimous decision in a “Fight of the Year” contender in June 2016 and ex-two-division title winner Danny Garcia by split-decision in a title unification in March 2017.
Garcia and Porter will fight for a vacant WBC crown on September 8, while Spence scored his 11th-straight KO win in June over previously unbeaten Carlos Ocampo. Unified lightweight champion Mikey Garcia has talked about fighting Spence before the end of 2018.
Berto edged Alexander with Porter working as a ringside as commentator alongside multi-division former champion Robert Guerrero, who beat Berto by two-knockdown unanimous decision in November 2012.
Berto would also like to revisit some of his former foes in the ring.
“I’d like to get some of the guys I’ve lost to, for sure. I had torn my shoulder during the Jesus Soto Karass situation,” said Berto. “I think I closed the chapter on Victor Ortiz situation by knocking him out, and I just beat Alexander, who he fought to a draw with [in February.] Otherwise, as long as it makes financial sense for me, we can make it happen. At the end of the day, I still have that dog in me.”
For a complete recap of Berto vs Alexander, check out our fight page.
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