WBC Boxing Champion Andre Berto Defends Against Steve Forbes September 27 On Mosley vs. Mayorga Undercard

Earlier this year, Andre Berto won the WBC Welterweight Championship. On Saturday, September 27, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, he will begin his reign as champion by facing his toughest challenge of his career when he faces the tough and never stopped former World Champion Steve Forbes.

The fight for the WBC Welterweight title will be the co-featured bout to the highly anticipated showdown between Sugar Shane Mosley and Ricardo Mayorga and televised live on HBO. The fight is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Don King Productions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Tournament of Contenders.

“Andre Berto is getting closer to the top of the boxing charts, but in order to continue his quest he has to beat someone like Steve Forbes,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “I can tell you from first hand experience that Forbes is tough and crafty. This is a great match-up for the fans at The Home Depot Center and those watching at home on HBO.”

A member of the 2004 Haitian Olympic team, 24-year-old Andre Berto, 22-0 (19), has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the welterweight ranks since his pro debut in late 2004. A former NABF champion who has garnered a legion of fans with his concussive power and two-fisted offensive attack, Berto parlayed wins over Cosme Rivera, David Estrada and Michel Trabant into a shot at the vacant WBC Welterweight title against Miguel Rodriguez on June 21, 2008.

In that bout, Berto made the most of his opportunity, blasting Rodriguez out in seven rounds. But on September 27, he will be tested in all aspects of the sweet science by former World Champion Steve Forbes.

“As always, I will train my hardest as I consider Steve Forbes a talented and tough veteran. Forbes showed the world his boxing talent and his big heart when he lost a hard fought decision to Oscar de la Hoya last May. On September 27th, I will successfully defend my WBC title against Forbes and put on a great fight for all my fans,” said Andre Berto.

Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment said, “Andre faces an experienced veteran in Steve Forbes, a former World Champion with terrific skills and ring intellect. Andre Berto has the tools and determination to be a superstar and will prove that at The Home Depot Center on September 27th.”

Steve “2 Pounds” Forbes, 33-6 (9), is a fighter’s fighter, a crafty wizard in the ring who knows what it takes to win at the elite level of the sport. A 12 year pro, Forbes won a world championship in 2000 with a TKO of John Brown and he never lost the title in the ring, only giving up the title when he was unable to make weight prior to a fight.

Forbes’ success continued in the ensuing years, with a stint on ‘The Contender’ series exposing him to a nationwide audience as he made it to the finals, only losing to junior middleweight Grady Brewer via split decision in 2006. After the show finished, Forbes continued to shine with a ten round decision win over Francisco “Panchito” Bojado in 2007. He gained even more fans with his hard-fought effort in a 12 round decision loss to Oscar de la Hoya in May. He now looks to become a two-time world champion this fall at the expense of Berto.

“I think this will be a fight for me to prove what I’ve always known and that is that I’m an old school throw back fighter who has the abilities to beat anyone,” said Forbes. “I will become a two-time World Champion on September 27th.”

Executive Producer and Promoter for Tournament of Contenders Jeff Wald said, “I’m really excited for this fight between a current World Champion and one of the greatest young fighters in the sport today. Forbes has what it takes to beat Berto, he has boxing skills, great defense and is a true professional gentleman. We are looking forward to returning to the Home Depot Center where Forbes had a great night of boxing against De La Hoya in May.”

Mosley vs. Mayorga is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Don King Productions, with Mosley promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayorga by Don King Productions, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. The bouts will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets for the event priced at $350, $150, $75 and $50 are on sale now and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, on the Web at www.Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at (213) 480-3232. Tickets are also available for sale at The Home Depot Center Box Office, open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT, and on event days. Event suites, group packages and VIP packages are available by calling 1-877-AEG-TICKETS (1-877-234-8425) or by visiting www.aegtickets.com.