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