The ESPN FNF card from Saratoga Springs, New York featured undefeated age 23 power punching Andre Berto, facing veteran Mexican warhorse Cosme Rivera, a today journeyman of 30-11, 22 KO’s - and it pretty much went to form - well, almost.

The front side of the scheduled ten rounder was all Berto - the kid from Winter Haven, Florida on the attack in search of knockout number 17 - the combat hardened Rivera in more of a survival mode.

Come stanza six a popular consensus would likely have it Berto on verge of dropping the curtain and Rivera in search of a fire exit - then a surprise - Berto moving to close quarters, and it’s a Rivera left uppercut - clearly finding and going through the target - and Berto is down!

Berto beats the numbers and looks ready to resume when the bell rings ending the candle - at this point, much is made over a delaying action by the Berto corner people - a damaged glove - and memories of past shenanigans by corner cuties of days long gone by.

Maybe yes, maybe no - Berto had showed no signs of distress from that honey of a punch - and come the bell for round seven is once again in charge - and near the end of the stanza Rivera is cut severely alongside the right orbit.

Only heart keeps the good ship Rivera afloat - and maybe steals stanza nine before the final round ten comes to a close.

Scoring all Berto 98-91, 98-91, 97-92 on the official cards - my unofficial had it Berto 97-92 in points and a 8-2 route under round by round method.

Post Scripts: Andre Berto ( 19-0, 17 ) ~ age 23 - The power in both hands are there - good news is the quick recovery from text-book left uppercut - next up on the calendar a jr. middle-welter in size David Estrada. Excellent selection for the legit prospect. Bigger question for the solidly constructed Berto is how long he continues making 147 at 5-8 ½.
                       Cosme Rivera ( 30-11, 22KO) ~ age 31 -  coming into this one off a split-decision loss to prospect Julio Joel speaks for itself. Still has something left in tank at now age 31. True grit doesn’t come close - deserves a gimme off this loss.
                      Referee Charlie Fitch ~ passing grades for most part but think I spotted what could have been major blunder. Stops the action because of  bleeding from Rivera cut eye to let corner cut man treat injury - official medicine man not invited.

Closing comments: Have no quarrel with Teddy the tutor Atlas … but with all the repetitive instructive do’s and don’t’s, on this night feel, and is only one man’s opinion, while imploring Berto to set the kill with body punches, he missed an obvious shortcoming in the kid’s potential. Missing from the ongoing verbiage maybe Berto, young enough at 23, should work from a crouch. Maybe the Patterson, Jose Torres peek-a-boo is the key to longevity.

A 5’8 and a half Berto surrenders height and reach - the potent power is there but is easier to get the combinations and barrages going while on inside. Missing from Atlas was comments on Berto upright stance while in search of targets.

7-27-2007