Andre Berto vs Mike Jones possible for September

DiBella is trying to put together a fall HBO fight for Berto. HBO wants Berto-Mosley for Sept. 25, a fight it had scheduled in January. However, it was canceled after Berto lost eight family members in the Haiti earthquake a couple of weeks before the fight. Berto returned in April, beating Carlos Quintana, and Mosley lost to Mayweather. But with Mosley looking at other potential fall fights, DiBella is looking for a backup, so he called Top Rank's Carl Moretti about former title challenger Alfonso Gomez. But Moretti said it wasn't a fight HBO would buy and suggested rising contender Mike Jones, who Top Rank works with through a close relationship his promoter, Russell Peltz. DiBella liked the idea and Moretti said he called Peltz, who was also interested, assuming Jones wins a July 9 "ShoBox" fight with Irving Garcia. So if Berto-Mosley isn't put back together, Berto-Jones could be possible for the fall, if HBO would buy it.

http://espn.go.com/sports/boxing/notebook/_/id/5325122/chavez-jr-happy-change-personnel

I don't believe it will happen. Jones's management has brought him along slowly. I think they'll find a guy to face that is a step up from Henry Bruseles, Hector Munoz, and Irving Garcia. It would be a big jump to a guy like Berto.

Berto was fighting guys on the same level as Jones is facing. Then his team put him in with a tough top 10 guy in Collazo. He survived it (I scored the razor close fight for Collazo). Then it was moving up smaller puncher Urango and Quintana.

To go from that competition level to Berto is a huge jump. The kid is 27 and it is time to move him up, but over a couple of fights.

I'd rather see Mike Jones vs Alfonso Gomez than either vs Berto.

I think we see this go down, HBO sees new blood in Jones already a draw

It sells out in Atlantic City, Berto takes it thinking he's too good and gets beat!!

I am surprised Delvin Rodriguez name hasn't been thrown around, he's a respectable Welterweight.

When a shot at the title is there, I think you have to take it. Especially young fighters that can rebound.

Ali_1748 wrote:

I am surprised Delvin Rodriguez name hasn't been thrown around, he's a respectable Welterweight.

Are you intrested in seeing Berto face Rodriguez. He isnt all that good and has losses to mediocre competition. Its fair to say hes not really a championship level fighter. Hes solid, but he doesnt belong on HBO. Hes a stepping stone guy on ESPN IMO. I like Berto vs Jones, I like seeing these young undefeated champs fighting each other to prove theyre the real deal. Jones is talented and we all know Berto isnt as good as HBO thought he would become, so this fight is a toss up. I cant believe they even mentioned Alfonso Gomez for Berto (huge slap in the face) He already fought a line of average fighters, hes a champ the guy needs to step up in competition.

I'd like to see Berto fight Cotto.

I'd like to see Berto fight someone with a pulse.

There would be no major problem with Berto facing Gomez or Rodriguez if Berto fought often.

I hate the fight game now.

Berto is 25 or 26 if I recall correctly. He needs to work on his craft. He should be fighting 3-4 times a year. When there is no big fight to be made you stay active against a fringe contender. You do those fights at home and build a fan base.

Berto has no hometown fan base as no one has tried to build one. He fights twice a year. So the opponents need to be better than fringe contenders like Gomez and Rodriguez.

Another case of Al Haymon not letting his fighters meet the biggest challenges.

Or just giving them bad advice.

captainanddew wrote:

There would be no major problem with Berto facing Gomez or Rodriguez if Berto fought often.

I hate the fight game now.

Berto is 25 or 26 if I recall correctly. He needs to work on his craft. He should be fighting 3-4 times a year. When there is no big fight to be made you stay active against a fringe contender. You do those fights at home and build a fan base.

Berto has no hometown fan base as no one has tried to build one. He fights twice a year. So the opponents need to be better than fringe contenders like Gomez and Rodriguez.

.....good points.