Has anyone had a softer run to a major title recently than Berto?

[bcollins]

He's not being thrown into the top tier... It was an easy fight for a belt, in a time when belts don't mean anything. How old was Cotto when he got his first belt? Who did he fight to get it? Cezar Bazan? My point is Berto is still a prospect, and holding a belt doesn't change that these days. He is a very good fighter with tons of upside, just give him time.

Yet - but with a belt, you might as well paint a target on his back. Now, instead of developing steadily over seven or eight fights, he'll have to do it in two or three. He's gaining a name quickly, and I bet we'll see him in with someone top tier (and I don't restrict that term to the best three fighters in the division - I would include the B-level fighters there as well)
within a couple of fights.

But you don't need 40+ fights like Ricky Hatton before you step up to world class competition. Berto is as ready as he'll ever be, and if he loses to one of those top guys two fights from now, he would have lost to them 10 fights from now as well. He had an extensive amateur background and what people tend to forget is that there's only so many tune ups that you can take that will allow you to improve. The only way to truly reach that next level is to fight guys at that next level.

You have a point there - you just don't want to see someone with a lot of potential ruined by getting them in a fight they're not quite prepared for.

[SaltyBacon]

sean o grady hands down

[Majesty]

Berto is getting the treatment you'd expect someone like Andre Ward to get. But it seems Ward is taking his time which is good, least he will be improved when he gets to main event status. Berto on the other hand is main event status at about 50 percent done. Never fought a top 30 yet and just won a world title that Mayweather put down. And he fought a bum for it, why didn't he fight someone like oh I dunno Mayweather's Mandatory?

Because he would have had to fight himself Berto was Mayweathers WBC mandatory and Rodriguez was the #2 ranked WBC Welter

How the heck did Andre berto get to be Mayweather's mandatory I thought Cotto was Mayweather's mandatory

[Spicoli]

Not questioning his talent(I think there is a question mark about his chin but thats a separate matter), but who has this guy done? Cosme Rivera is tough but limited, the rest? At least let him fight a tough contender/more tough guys like Rivera. Very dissappointing.Needs to step it up asap.

Have to admit,He did what was required through the politics but It was a nice set up and the belt was all but shined up for him.Still at this point I consider him more along the lines of a solid Prospect In terms of Calibur Of competition ,and that is how well a guys future will be determined.You can shine and develope all day on second tier types,Best was Estrada,But you really never Know where a guy is until he faces a legit top ten type.......can't believe Im saying that considering He just won a title.He needs Adversity before getting in with the elite I believe.My big question is can he maintain accurate handspeed and balance when he gets backed up?

[TitoFan]

Not questioning his talent(I think there is a question mark about his chin but thats a separate matter), but who has this guy done? Cosme Rivera is tough but limited, the rest? At least let him fight a tough contender/more tough guys like Rivera. Very dissappointing.Needs to step it up asap.

PRECISELY!! I'd rep you for this, E.G., but apparently I need to "spread it around" first. I think you hit the proverbial nail square on the head. Everyone talks about Berto, who by the way... does have talent, but... what a cush-job! Where do I sign up for a similar path? But by the way, I DO have a candidate for you that rivals Berto's run:

Yeah, you bet... Chavez Junior.
The champ of the soft runs. He'll be 50-0 without fighting anyone with a pulse, and then get handed a championship opportunity.

[Mar]

Berto got there soft...but he seems to be the type of fighter where we won't be dissappointed down the road. He'll have to progress a little faster now that he'll almost always be in with good comp, but i haven't seen anything from him to show he won't adapt and be involved in some big time fights in the future. Just my guess