Jan Zaveck vs. Andre Berto fight thread - on HBO tonight

[Kev]

I dont know him personally but he's a terribly flawd fighter who has not improved and is afforded grounds that can be walked by better more solid guys. I have zero doubt that he gets badly rattled if he is put in with the top tier and you can see that as plain as day. This night was all about getting him a strap so he can be marketed into another "mega fight" on HBO. U want exciting go pick some joe schmo off an obscure undercard who explodes even more and also swings for the fences. Berto is a guarded investment with rooted connections, but I'm sure he's a wonderful dinner guest as well.

What's the difference between him and Katsidis in that case though? Katsidis gets hit at will and has been stpped a bunch of times now yet HBO always call on him because he's exciting, and he's not even American.

There's really no conspiracy as to why Berto is on HBO. He's simply been more exciting, faster, explosive and impressively built physically than any other American fighter in and around that weight class. It would be a bizarre ommission if he hadn't been a HBO regular imo.

When Kats is mentioned in the same sentence as the very best in his division people call bullshit on it. He serves to frankly make the more primary guy shine and is not sold as a legit two time next coming of the all mighty super star. For all his heart those 15 minutes expired quick on...and really Bertos natural athleticism is leagues beyond but he'll not realize it because he was rushed to market and made bigger than he was at the time.

I honestly don't think Berto is all that exciting but more of just another glossy pumped up car on the race track. Its a matter of time. His hands are NOT Meldrick taylor esqu and he does not have the legs, stamina or stubborn streak to last in all of these face first brawls we are suddenly prepared to throw him into. Memo to HBO fluffers and Max....do they remember what became of Taylor after his "exciting match" with Chavez? Whens the last time you heard Kats choke up simply talking about Haymon and HBO promotion after a fight

I've never heard anyohne annoint Berto as the second coming either. To my knowledge he has never been featured in The Ring p4p top 10 so I don't know why you regard him as overatted? He is regarded as one of the very best 147 pound fighters in the world, and one of the most exciting.

I don't disagree with that at all. Floyd and Manny are not going to be around for much longer and then Berto is pretty much the best out there. He still has a bright future, despite clearly not being as good as Floyd, Manny, Oscar, Hopkins etc.

But then, few fighters are.