When WBC Welterweight Champion Andre Berto defends his belt against Juan Urango this coming Saturday, May 30th, something has got to give. In Berto and Urango we have two fighters who are similar in the sense that they both have a decent amount of pop in their fists while also having shown defensive weaknesses throughout their career.
Both men are there to be hit and by the end of the night something eventful is surely to happen.
At 24-0 with 19 knockouts, Berto’s road to the championship wasn’t nearly as hard as the champions of years past and his recent give and take struggle with Luis Collazo has left several questioning his status as a titlist. Regardless of any detractors, Berto’s style has been fan pleasing throughout the years and at just 25 years of age he is still learning on the job.
Hailing from Monterria, Columbia, Juan ‘Iron Twins’ Urango holds a 21-1 record with 16 knockouts, the lone loss being a January 2007 decision to Ricky Hatton. Urango isn’t the fastest or slickest fighter you will lay your eyes on but throughout his career his power has been undeniable. He was blessed with dynamite in both of his fists and that alone will make for intriguing television as Berto’s chin has seemed shaky on a few standout occasions.
Wanting to get a deeper perspective on this fight, 8 Count News recently dug into some choice online boxing forums to get a sense on what the boxing public is saying about this contest. Read below to find out what people think of the matchup, Urango’s legitimacy in a new weight class, Berto’s future as a fighter, and more…
(HeavyweightsDead @ DogHouseBoxing.com)…
“On the real though with the Berto vs. Urango match up I think many are discounting Urango's ability to fight at 147lbs, the guy is a fucking tank. He might even be stronger at 147lbs for all we know similar to the way Cotto became stronger in his move up a division. Urango might be slow and flatfooted but if he can land a big shot on Berto I think he has a shot at taking him out. Berto telegraphs and admires his shots a lot and he fight flatfooted a lot as well so if Urango can counter him or even hit him to the body to set up a left hook up stairs then he has a chance.”
(Mean Mr. Mustard @ FightHype.com)…
“Urango seems to be letting his hands go more since the Hatton loss. That's good and bad. Good because he has power and his punches bother people. It's bad though, because he's so muscular that his arms get tired from throwing too much. Now, you might say "Well he should just find a middle rhythm" and that makes sense but the guy is too slow. He has to swing all the time; it is the only way he can win. Berto was lambasted by some people because he struggled with Collazo. I for one don't see why. Sure, criticism is warranted in any young up and comers fight but it seems to me that people overlook the fact that he beat a good fighter. Collazo in no chump. Berto has nice defense, tremendous hand speed, stamina (closed the show strong against Collazo) and I like how he throws that counter right uppercut. I think Berto will be too seasoned and more diverse than the plodding Urango and maybe stop the Colombian late in the fight.”
(DangeDong @ MaxBoxing.com)…
“Andre is all war, all the time. As in any fight, his less than miraculous chin keeps this fight entertaining. Urango is on a hot streak since dropping that fight to Hatton this could be a war.”
(Enrique @ EastSideBoxing.com)…
“What a lot of people are failing to realize is the Urango is now training under Evangelista Cotto.. Yes the same man who trained Cotto and turned him into the outstanding fighter he is today. If Urango learned anything from his time with Evangelista, I would bet its cutting off the ring instead of just following his opponent around. I’m not saying he wins, but I think he puts Berto through hell.”
(Ch@mpBox@PR @ Boxingscene.com)…
“It will be a decent fight, Berto wins a UD here, Urango is too one dimensional to beat Berto. He has the strength and the power to make it interesting though. And with Evangelista in his corner I think he improved a bit. Berto wont KO Urango because Urango's Chin is a class A chin and Berto aint a big puncher.”
(Valdosta @ BoxingFanatics.com)…
“As I mentioned in a previous thread lots of offense and little defense with these guys. Personally I think they are trying to set Berto up in a fight where he can look great. As long as he doesn’t get KTFO on his china chin I think he will beat the hell out of Urango.”
(Northstar @ DogHouseboxing.com)…
“Urango vs. Berto should be an interesting one. Berto is favored, but I am hoping Urango can turn it into something special. While Berto has improved steadily, he's been fighting okay comp with the exception of Collazo, and has had moments where he struggled but gutted out the win. He gets caught from time to time and with Urango being a big puncher could be the upset in the making. Urango has also improved a bit and I am wondering how his time with Evangelista has turned out. I do know that while with Evangelista, he was sparring with Cotto a lot, so I'm sure that has helped a bit as well. We'll just have to see how it turns out and I can't wait! I'll go out on a limb and pick Urango by TKO in the 7th or 8th.”
(PocoRoba @MaxBoxing.com)…
“Put me on the Berto bandwagon, he will make a statement on the 30th.”
(Fight Aficionado @ EastSideboxing.com)…
“Berto is an overprotected fighter thanks to Dibella's coddling and HBO agreeing to televise him vs. undeserving comp. Quick, who can name who he beat for that 147 trinket? Nobody.”
(NorthStar @ BoxingScene.com)…
“Berto can be caught and has been by lesser fighters than Urango. The only difference is that Urango has KO power in both hands and definitely has a little bit more than a punchers chance at getting the victory. I guess we'll see how good of a trainer Evangelista turns out to be. Miguel Cotto is a natural and rumor has it that he's pretty much been training himself for the past few fights. Urango can win this and I won't be shocked if he does pull off the upset. Berto still has yet to fight A class comp.”
(Turbana @ BoxingFanatics.com)…
“That's just the thing though...As long as Berto isn't in trouble he will tee off on Urango but I think the lack of Berto's chinmanship makes this compelling...We all know Urango can crack and if he touches that chin just once this fight could change completely”
(mos-def @ DogHouseboxing.com)…
“I didn’t know Urango was/had been with Cotto's uncle, that should help him some. but Berto just seems incapable of being in a fight and not getting into a little bit of trouble regardless of who he fights. Urango still has a lot of speed to deal with though.”
(Obtuse @ MaxBoxing.com)…
“12 rounds of waiting for Urango to land that one big shot while Berto takes Urango to school...
I think I'll stay off this bus.”
(Tomato Can @ EastSideBoxing.com)…
“Berto should beat Urango handedly. Urango will be a step to slow all night, but if he connects watch out, cause Berto could be put to sleep. I don't really think it's fair to criticize Berto at this juncture in his career. He's still learning.”
(JVSnypes @ Boxingscene.com)…
“Berto is stronger than Urango in my opinion. We already know that he's faster. But Berto's biggest flaw is lack of defense. His style is a lot like Mosley’s. His defense is not equal to his offense. That will backfire on him one day, just not with Urango.”
(Doc @ DogHouseBoxing.com)…
“I'm not looking forward to the Berto fight at all, though. I'm not really interested and Berto to me has been one of the most over-hyped fighters in recent years to me, probably a step below the hype machine of Jeff Lacy. I thought Berto was beaten by Collazo in their scrap and the light fisted Collazo even had him hurt in that bout. He just doesn't impress me and although he seems to have a great narrative, he just seems like an 'extraordinarily ordinary' fighter to me. He doesn't do anything that really stands out to me.”
(PRChamp @ MaxBoxing.com)…
“Urango's body shots are going to be the factor. I know I should know better after seeing Ward-Miranda and waiting for Miranda to land one big shot but something tells me if Urango is tough enough and lands some key body shots while taking some of Berto's shots then he's making Berto fold late due to body shots.”
(Dynamite Kid @ Boxingscene.com)…
“I fully expect Berto get hurt in this fight. I’m not sold on Berto's punch resistance, but the problem for Urango is he is not a good finisher. I think Berto gets up off the canvas to win decision.”
(TigerTheLion @ DogHouseboxing.com)…
“I'm not sure if it's people doubting his ability to fight at 147 as much as it is just people doubting his ability to fight, period. Urango is not skilled and he's slow. He has power, so if he lands he might be able to get Berto in trouble. Thing is, Berto is most likely gonna be too fast for Urango. Berto does have some defensive flaws, and your prediction of a Urango KO could turn out to make you look like a genius. I'm not a big fan of either fighter, but I hope Berto wins. I think Berto should be fighting a tried and tested 147 pounder, since he's supposedly a champ and all.”
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