By: Albert Alvarez
Saturday, November 24 2012 on HBO- Robert Guerrero vs. Andre Berto–
As of late, I have been hearing a lot more people picking Guerrero (30-1-1) to beat Andre Berto (28-1) when these two lock horns this coming Saturday night. More and more fans seem to think that since southpaw Victor Ortiz was able to beat Berto, then surely, a stronger mentally minded southpaw like Guerrero will also be able to beat Berto. I can see why one would be fast to pick Guerrero for that single reason, but in my opinion, that single reason is not enough for me to pick Guerrero to beat Berto.
Ortiz was able to beat Berto because his speed, power, and hunger were all greater than Berto’s on that particular night. I don’t see Guerrero having the speed or enough power at 147 to be able to step in and drown Berto. Guerrero’s punch activity and heart will make it interesting, but at the end of the day, it will be Berto’s speed, power, and strength differential that will begin to show face late in the fight, and will then begin to grind Guerrero out.
It’s tough for me to pick against Guerrero, especially since he is an extremely tough fighter that has been through hell to get to where he is at today, particularly with him facing a very flawed fighter like Berto. But my eyes and gut tell me that Berto will land more of the damaging shots, and that my friends, will be enough to get him through the storm.
Ring rust could be a problem for Berto early, but I see Berto shaking it off around the 5th round. If Berto wants to make this a very easy fight, all he has to do is study tape of the Yourdan/Guerrero fight. Yourdan was controlling Guerrero with the placement of one single punch. But knowing Berto, he will probably allow the fight to be harder than it has to be. I support Guerrero for wanting to fight at 147 for more cake to support his lovely family, but at 140 is where he truly needs to be fighting. If I were Guerrero, I would have begged Oscar and Richard to instead give me a shot at Danny Garcia.
I’m picking Berto to stop Guerrero in the 9th round. If it goes to a decision, I could see Guerrero taking a controversial decision. Berto has got to know that the hand of the robber is already in his front pocket, so Berto better fire that uppercut and take it out of the judges hands.
Saturday, November 24 2012 on Showtime- Ricky Hatton (45-2)vs. Vyacheslav Senchenko(32-1)
The return of the Hitman. I see Senchenko coming forward and sticking the jab out. Hatton will charge in like a bull and will look to kill Senchenko’s body. Senchenko will need to use distance to fire the ruler as the bull is coming in to not only force the bull to choke, but to also slow down the charge. Kill the momentum early. Will Senchenko be able to do just that? I don’t think so. I see Hatton being way too busy and will score just enough to get the decision. There is only one Ricky Hatton, Hatton by split decision.
