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Robert Guerrero breaks down Mayweather-Berto

Fighters Network
07
Sep
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Robert Guerrero (right) fires a hard right jab at Andre Berto on Nov. 24, 2012. Photo credit: Naoki Fukuda

Robert Guerrero is one of only two men to share a ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Andre Berto.
In Nov. of 2012, the 32-year-old former featherweight and junior lightweight titlist beat Berto by unanimous decision. That performance helped him win the sweepstakes to face Mayweather in May 2013. Despite Guerrero’s solid effort, Mayweather won a wide points decision.

Having had training camps geared toward preparing for both Mayweather and Berto, then sharing a ring with each man for 12 rounds, he’s more qualified than most to dissect the upcoming “High Stakes” contest.

“I think it’s a good fight,” Guerrero told RingTV.com. “Berto has been working his way back to the top and he’s won his last few fights. Floyd knows Berto is coming to take him out, so I know he’ll be training hard.”

Guerrero knows both guys’ strengths: “Floyd has a tremendous reach and he uses it well. That’s why those who fight him don’t have a high punch output against him.

“Berto has a lot of heart and that goes a long way in boxing. He’s going to let it all out on fight night.”



He sees little in the way of weakness in Mayweather’s game, though questions Berto’s staying power down the stretch.

“Floyd really has no weaknesses. The only thing that can possibly derail Floyd is that he might get old overnight. I wouldn’t say that’s a weakness but a possible scenario that I highly doubt will happen.

“Berto’s stamina can weaken as the fight gets to the later rounds. He throws a lot of hard punches, so there is a lot of energy being exerted. I would say that is one of his weaknesses.”

Heading into the bout, Mayweather is understandably the pre-fight favorite. Bookmakers Bet365 list the Money Man as high as 80/1 on (-8000) to win the fight.

Guerrero isn’t surprised by the odds: “Mayweather is a heavy favorite for a reason. No one has been able to figure out his puzzle but all it takes is one punch. Berto does have power.”

So what does Berto need to do to pull the upset?

“He must get past Floyd’s jab, which will be very difficult,” explained Guerrero. “His punch output needs to be high and he must go to the body.

“I think Floyd’s going to win by a wide margin but it won’t be easy. Never underestimate the desire of a hungry fighter.”

Earlier this year, Guerrero lost a wide decision to rising star Keith Thurman. The Gilroy-native rebounded in June, getting back in the win column, eking out a 10-round, split decision over fringe contender Aaron Martinez. The usually iron-chinned Guerrero (33-3-1, 18 knockouts) suffered the ignominy of a fourth round trip to the canvas.

Though there are no concrete plans as yet the southpaw boxer-puncher hopes to be back in action soon.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring when my name is called,” he said. [Adviser Al] Haymon will let me know soon.”

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright

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