Shawn Porter (26-2, 16 KOs) and Andre Berto (31-4, 24 KOs) are boxing names which are certainly not as loud as a Floyd Mayweather, Jr. or a Manny Pacquiao. But to be a world champion, in a very harsh sport like boxing, is great enough- and Shawn Porter and Andre Berto were both world champions, no pushover fighters at that.
Along the way boxers fighting in neighbouring weight classes at some point in time got to meet each other in the ring. This is true for Shawn Porter and Andre Berto who after years of separate activities will meet each other on April 22 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for the WBC welterweight world title eliminator.
In a recent interview, during one of his workouts opened to the media, Shawn Porter, 29, native of Ohio, exuded an atmosphere of confidence. He said he did not see Andre Berto, 33, from Winter Haven, Florida, getting knockout but Berto will make a trip to the canvas.
To his credit, Shawn Porter was IBF welterweight champion from 2013 to 2014 successfully defending the crown twice before losing it to Kell Brook. Porter, strong and fast, was used to be a sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao when they both trained at the famed Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in California.
Andre Berto, for his part, is certainly a no pushover opponent for Shawn Porter. Berto, who holds a U.S. and Haitian citizenships, was a two-time welterweight world champion having held the WBC and IBF world championships. Multiple times he defended the WBC belt; the IBF version was voluntarily relinquished.
After having been dethroned by Victor Ortiz, Berto would see a see-saw in his career. Even so, he still earned for a shot at Floyd Mayweather which Berto lost via wide unanimous decision. Following Mayweather, Berto avenged his loss to Ortiz on Apr. 2016.
From all indications, it seems Shawn Porter and Andre Berto will be turning out a competitive, exciting, and toe-to-toe fight - considering both combatants are eager for a quick return to the spotlight. Almost balanced in speed and power, the clash is going to be far from being a walk in a park for the two veteran ring gladiators.
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