Andre Berto: Saul Alvarez needs more experience to fight me
WBC welterweight king Andre Berto thinks Saul “Canelo” Alvarez needs more experience before he can challenge him for his title.
In a recent article on notifight.com, Berto addressed questions about him potentially meeting the young Mexican superstar, saying: “A lot of people have spoken to me about Canelo Alvarez. He's having a good career, but to fight for a world title he needs
a little more experience. I am in position to give him the opportunity to fight for a title, but Canelo, I believe, should get a little more experience," Berto confirmed.
For some, commands about experience from Berto must inspire smiles if not chuckles all around.
Berto, though WBC champ, has been roundly criticized often for the quality of his competition and his own lack of relevant experience.
Though he’s racked up 26 professional wins and zero defeats, he has yet to face an opponent with a name in boxing or arguably any viable boxing skills.
Berto picked up the vacant WBC title by beating Miguel Angel Rodriguez in 2008, a fighter whom had only one meaningful fight to his name—against Carlos Baldomir in 2005—and had lost.
Despite the lack of experience, however, Berto is recognized as one of the premier fighters in the world, acquiring even the scouting of Manny Pacquiao’s team.
Since Pacquiao’s demolition of Antonio Margarito two weekends ago, trainer Freddie Roach and others have been keen to determine “Pacman’s” next opponent. Berto, a top welterweight at 147 pounds, meets most relevant criteria with one crucial exception: he
lacks Pacquiao’s experience.
Juan Manuel Marquez’s trainer Nacho Beristain recently got at that fact, saying: “As far as Andre Berto, he’s really not a fighter on Pacquiao’s level.”
“Canelo” has quickly become one of the biggest up-and-coming young fighters in Mexico today. At the age of 20, he is already a superstar at home. In his last performance he knocked out old-timer Baldomir in six rounds.
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