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Andre Berto
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2004 Haitian Olympian Andre Berto is in a rare position. Well seasoned and seemingly wise beyond his 21 years, Berto has already seen the world and experienced more than some people twice his age. Despite all of that, when talking to the Winter Haven, Florida native you get the sense that the best is yet to come and that he’s still just getting started in several areas of his life.
Berto turned to the professional ranks on December 4th, 2004 scoring a knockout over Michael Robinson on the undercard of the Jermain Taylor-William Joppy encounter. Berto has kept a busy schedule, running his young record to 4-0 with the most recent win being a decision over Daniel Neal on February 24th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. My gut feeling is that the Jr. Middleweight will be making some serious noise in the near future. Berto stopped by BraggingRightsCorner and gave us his thoughts on turning pro, traveling the world, working with Winky Wright, and much more…
Turning Pro…
‘It feels like this is what I’ve been missing. I just feel a lot more relaxed and comfortable being a professional fighter. It feels like I’m at home in there. It wasn’t much of a hard transition for me because even in the amateurs people knew me as having a professional style. I was never into the amateur style of pitty-pat punching. I just had to work on a few things like sitting down on my punches and relaxing. Basically I’m more of a boxer-puncher. I’m not big into jumping in and out and throwing light punches.’
The Marvelous One…
‘Growing up I was into a lot of the great professional fighters like [Marvelous] Marvin Hagler. He was an animal. His training was the best and he always stayed hungry and determined. He never slacked off at all. Every time he stepped into the ring he gave 110% and I try to mimic things from guys like him.
I have the tape of Hagler-Hearns at the house. It was just a classic battle. He went all on heart and will and he showed everybody that he was there to take care of business.’
Amateur Days…
‘I had a good time in the amateurs. Coming from such a small town, I was able to get on the national scene. I won the National Golden Gloves twice and I won the National PAL twice. I was in all the US championships and I brought back a bronze medal in 2003. I had a pretty good run and I’ve been all over the world fighting for the US Team.’
Around the world and back…
‘It’s crazy because it happened at such a young age. I was in high school and I was traveling all over the world. I’ve been to over fifteen countries through US boxing. Basically it matured me early in life. I’m a lot more mature that most people my age. I was able to travel and see the world. It was lovely, I loved it. Once we would get there it would be all business but afterwards we would have a little fun and go sightseeing.’
Fighting in New York…
‘It’s been real crazy. It’s been real hyped. A lot of people come out and a lot of celebs come out too. If they know that you’re there to do your job and put on an exciting show they’ll embrace you and show you a lot of love. They’ll been showing me a lot of love. It’s great to show everybody a good performance and to have a good time.’
Childhood…
‘I was born in Miami. I was raised in Winter Haven, Florida. My parents are from Haiti and my father really had his mind set on keeping us straight. In the community that we live in, it's easy to get caught up in the streets. His whole focus was to keep us focused on school and to strive towards our goals in life. Everybody in town pretty much knew him for that. He was a tough guy and he didn’t get caught up in all the drama.
Early temperament…
‘At a really early age my mind frame was different from a lot of kids. I was focused very early. Certain guys who came from my area like Tracy McGrady and Ray Lewis made it big and I always saw myself as being like those guys one of those days. I wasn’t just a typical kid who was into running around and playing outside. I had other thoughts. I saw myself being a superstar at something. I was focused very early.’
Chosing boxing over the streets…
‘I feel blessed and everybody where I’m from seems to recognize me for that. They’ve seen me running all the time, or see me in the paper, or coming to school with a black eye and busted lip. In Elementary and Middle school there was a time that they didn’t understand it but they understand now. Now they embrace me and congratulate me because I didn’t get caught up in all of it. Now its like I feel I’m a lot more proud of myself because I know what I went through. I stayed focused and it paid off.'
Winky Wright…
‘He always has advice for me. I’ve been watching him since I was an amateur at a young age and he’s always been there for me. He’s helped me get through a lot of things and he’s like a big brother to me.’
Sparring with Winky…
‘I was his number one sparring partner for his last two fights against Shane Mosley. Every time we spar I learn something. It was like going to school. Winky’s a true professional in there and he’ll let you know when you’re slipping. He puts in a lot of good work but at the same time he teaches you in there.’
Wright vs. Trinidad May 14th…
‘I think Winky’s going to surprise a lot of people. My belief is that he’s going to bring something out of his hat and come away with the win.’
Signing with Dash-DiBella…
‘It feels lovely. A collaboration like that is making history and I wanted to be a part of it.’
Facing the music…
‘I’m big into music. I listen to it all. Hip-Hip, R& B, Country, Jazz, Soul, I listen to it all. I’m just a real big music fan.’
Staying away from the hype…
‘I just stay focused and work hard. I work hard outside of the ring and inside the ring. I don’t let the hype get to me and I do what I gotta do.’
Fellow fighters…
‘I look up to a lot of guys. Winky, Jeff Lacy, plus some guys I was around like Andre Ward, Andre Dirrell, the Chin Checkers (Jaidon Codrington and Curtis Stevens). I see how hungry they are and they keep me focused when I’m in the gym.’
100%…
‘Growing up I played track and football. I knew whatever I played I would do well at. I put 100% into boxing and I am successful. If I put 100% into football I believe I would have made it to the league. Whenever I put 100% into something I believe it will work out for me. ‘
The man above…
‘I believe that God is a big part of my life. He keeps me focused and he keeps me sane. He’s somebody I can talk to just about everything and clear things up with. If I don’t have a connection to God then I’ll be all messed up.’
To the fans…
‘Tell everybody to stay tuned. Andre Berto is coming. 2005 should be a big year for me and be sure to stay behind me 100%.’
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2005
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Interview by Chris Robinson (March 9, 2005) 
