Boxing Prospect Andre Berto Added To Taylor Pavlik Showdown

ByBoxing Press

Unbeaten welterweight Andre Berto (19-0, 16 KOs) will get a chance to prove why the critics are raving about him when he faces world title challenger David Estrada on September 29 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Berto has been rated by nearly every major boxing publication and web site as one of the game’s top talents under 25 years old.

Berto, 23, is that rare combination of speed and power, of finesse and brute strength. A member of the 2004 Haitian Olympic boxing team, Berto has been so dominant that 12 of his 16 knockouts have been in three rounds or less.

The Florida resident is thrilled to appear in his biggest fight in the co-featured bout to the middleweight championship between Jermain Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KOs) and Kelly Pavlik (31-0, 28 KOs), which is being promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Top Rank Inc.

“It’s going to be an action packed, throwback night of boxing. I am honored to be the co-feature on the Taylor/Pavlik fight card. As always, I will train my hardest and put on the best possible performance for my fans,” said Andre Berto. Berto is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over durable veteran Cosme Rivera on July 27. It was the first time he had gone the distance in 15 bouts, since a Feb. 24, 2005 four-round decision over David Neal. He had 14 consecutive knockouts after the Neal bout.

“Andre Berto has made the transition from prospect to contender. On September 29th he will be tested by one of the very best welterweights in the division, David Estrada. This is a sensational television opener to a sensational main event,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

Berto’s rise to the top will be challenged, though, by Estrada (21-3, 12 KOs), who has been in the ring with the likes of Sugar Shane Mosley and Kermit Cintron, the current IBF welterweight champion.
Estrada, who was a PAL national champion in 1997, was 50-10 as an amateur. “I’m excited about being the co-feature on the Taylor vs Pavlik fight, but what I’m very excited about doing is beating Andre Berto and getting my rematch with Cintron,” said Estrada..

Tickets, priced at $400, $300, $200, $100 and $50, are now on sale and can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com .