Andre Berto - your verdict.

[stujones]

My verdict is four words.

The next Jeff Lacy.

[Autobarn]

I don't know. He's somewhere between Guzman and Sam Peter. Not quite sure what to make of Berto, still.

He has speed and flair. But he can look stumpy & lumbering.

Some definite talent. I see him more as a prospect than a world champion. That wasn't really a world class matchup.

[El Raincoat]

My verdict is four words.

The next Jeff Lacy.

Good comparison.

I think he's still a work in progress and he'll not fight Cotto, Margarito, Mosley or Williams for a year or so while building his name and getting experience against different style of fighters.

I think he'll fight Quintana next year once Quintana has a few comeback wins as Indio is with Di Bella too.

[DG.]

My verdict is four words.

The next Jeff Lacy.

Exactly.

He gets knocked out soon enought - fast and strong but I think chinny and predictable.

[stujones]

I don't think he is particularly fast either, just think his opponents have made him look fast. His footwork is pretty clumbersome (tiny legs also) He took a fair few shots. The way he leaps in with his punches - its asking to be countered... and Rodriguez did it on occasions.

He's kinda lucky that Judah/Mosley are finishing off their careers and DLH will probably now never fight at 147. Cotto and Margarito are not the fastest, so that leaves only Williams who I think has very quick hands among the top 5 (assuming Mayweather has finished).

I think Steve Forbes beats him right now.

[Autobarn]

There is more accuracy and fluidity than Lacy.

I thought Berto looked better as the fight went on. Built up more of a rhythm, let the shots come naturally. That uppercut was a brilliant shot.

Dont like it when he throws the clubbing right hands though.

I thought that American flyweight - Rayonta Whitfield - looked excellent. Him vs Narvaez should be a cracker for the WBO title.

[Poncey]

Tries to look for the KO too much for my liking. Rivera fight is case in point. Quintana as his next fight is a good shout. Winner then should fight Williams (still can't believe the lad challenged Pavlik by the way, what balls!).

[Dioufy]

I would put him in with Collazo before Quintana.

[Poncey]

That's a pretty good shout.

[stujones]

There is more accuracy and fluidity than Lacy.

I thought Berto looked better as the fight went on. Built up more of a rhythm, let the shots come naturally. That uppercut was a brilliant shot.

Dont like it when he throws the clubbing right hands though.

I thought that American flyweight - Rayonta Whitfield - looked excellent. Him vs Narvaez should be a cracker for the WBO title.

Agree on Whitfield - indeed liked all the other winners featured, with the exception of Dip who isn't going to make world class.

Lacy looked pretty fluid beating a similar level of opposition also. What I don't like about Berto (which EPNG pointed out) he goes for the KO with every punch. His footwork isn't good, neither is his defence - and I think its all very well having fast(ish) hands - as I said, I don't think he is especially fast - but he'll be giving away reach in most fights and doesn't have the movement to avoid other peoples punches.

I think he beats Quintana, who I think got a bit lucky against Williams who clearly was under motivated or had an off night, Collazo or Joshua Clottey - well I aint seen Collazo since Mosley to know how he has reacted to that comprehensive defeat, but I think if its the Collazo of old - he'll beat Berto - quite handily.

[Autobarn]

Berto's main problem is that he tries too hard, forces the KO.

But when he builds a flow, lets it come naturally, he lands much better punches (i.e. the right uppercut that dropped Rodriqguez).

Liked watching Whitfield a lot. Omar Narvaes is one of those excellent world title holders that hardly ever faces credible comp. If the Whitfield fight comes to America, it would be great to watch these two in action. Whitfield got carried away a bit, however, when he had his man going. Looked way better when he was breaking his man down steadily.

[Old bones Ian]

He's 24 and still learning , so far he's beaten all in front of him, been down and got back up to win.
With his style he will sometimes get caught leaping in with his punches. This is ok when he's fighting the lower levels, have to see when a puncher cracks one on him.

Think he'd be too fresh and strong for Moseley, but Williams, Margarito and Cotto would be above him at the moment.

Looking at the WBC rankings, there isn't much to worry Berto there. In fact i don't know half the boxers in the top 15. So they could be the 2nd coming of Ray Robinson for all i know.

2 .- Miguel Rodriguez (Mexico)
3 .- Luis Collazo (US)
4 .- Jackson Osei Bonsu (Belgium) EBU
5 .- Carlos Baldomir (Argentina)
6 .- Isaac Hlatshwayo (South Africa)
7 .- Jesus Soto Karass (Mexico) AMERICA
8 .- Joaquin Zamora (Mexico)
9 .- David Estrada (US)
10 .- Selcuk Aydin (Turkey) INTL
11 .- Said Ouali (Morocco)
12 .- Bongani Mwelase (South Africa)
13 .- Vitaliy Demyanenko (Kazakhstan) ABCO
14 .- Motoki Sasaki (Japan) OPBF
15 .- Luis Carlos Abregu (Argentina)

[Poncey]

What a crap list. Is the strength in depth of 147 really that bad?! Brook/Mc Intyre can make a dent.

I love the way alphabet orgs refuse to acknowledge other champs. Cotto, Margarito and Williams aren't as good as David Estrada.

[stujones]

That is a crap list, in the devision littered with talent - in which I think independently Jennings would be hard pushed to make the top 25... he should be ahead of a fair few of those fighters.

[Dioufy]

Having just this minute seen the fight, I must say that I was impressed. He has flaws like going back with his hands down, getting caught with a right hand over the top and he will have trouble against a good pressure fighter, but he's young and will learn. I would keep him away from the division's top five for a few fights, maybe take on Collazo, Abregu and then a big one, possibly against Cintron, Quintana or Margarito (if he loses to Cotto). Furthermore, this lad's got a bright future.

[hitman_hatton1]

i rate berto.

good array of punches and can mix it up well.

lovely uppercut.

obviously he has it all to prove in what is a loaded division.

but i predict he will become cotto's main rival in the next 12 months.

[hitman_hatton1]

Having just this minute seen the fight, I must say that I was impressed. He has flaws like going back with his hands down, getting caught with a right hand over the top and he will have trouble against a good pressure fighter, but he's young and will learn. I would keep him away from the division's top five for a few fights, maybe take on Collazo, Abregu and then a big one, possibly against Cintron, Quintana or Margarito (if he loses to Cotto). Furthermore, this lad's got a bright future.

but look what he did to estrada.

a guy that gave cintron all he could handle.

beat him down bigtime.

[Dioufy]

I haven't seen that fight, mate. If anyone has a link, it would be appreciated.