Williams V Berto
Two fighters will come head to head with different and exciting opponents in the weeks to come; the skilled Sergio Martinez will have a rematch with Paul “The Punisher” Williams and Freddy Hernandez will have a chance to tarnish Andre Berto’s perfect record. While both of these fights seem promising for excitement and action, there can be a lucrative and even more exciting matchup between Paul Williams and Andre Berto in the future.
A Berto–Williams matchup could be just what both of these fighters can use to boost their prestige and possibly draw more attention to the sport of boxing. With Manny Pacquioa and Floyd Mayweather at the top of their game yet failing to meet thus far there is a polarizing effect on true boxing fans who are looking forward to more than just these two names (both of which have toyed with the idea of retirement in the near future). Williams has the hype and the Berto has the power to make an exciting fight that not only the fans can enjoy, but both fighters can benefit from as well.
The Punisher has something many would consider a claim to fame: he is the most avoided fighter in the sport. This has hurt his prestige to a degree however. While Williams’ supporters will argue he is avoided because he is feared, detractors will argue he simply doesn’t draw a big enough payday for the big names in the sport to take a second look. Whatever the real reason may be, the bottom line is less contenders equals less fights. What may be Williams’ biggest bargaining chip however is his record 39(27)-1(0); Williams has defeated every opponent he has faced. While this doesn’t say he is undefeated (he did lose one fight) it gives him a near unblemished record. In addition to this the fact that he is willing to take rematches (which is less common than it once was) like he has done before and will do tonight is a good way to build healthy rivalries and sometimes epic trilogies between fighters. Such rivalries helped make legends of Arturo Gatti, Shane Mosley, and Manny Pacquiao to name few.
Berto faces a slightly different dilemma which also hurts his marketability. Many believe Andre Berto 26(20)-0 has the potential to become a truly great boxer; he has real power and speed especially behind his uppercut and he truly has the heart of a lion which he prides himself on. However it is believed by some that Berto does not have the experience yet to face off with the best of the division. Such an argument remains prevalent due to the cancelation of his early 2010 bout with potential Hall of Famer Shane Mosley. It is believed that this is the reason Berto is still being featured as an undercard fighter. The best way to build experience is to continue fighting good fighters. Berto needs an opponent that can help him gain name recognition and yet give him a challenge in the ring. What Berto brings to the table is his exciting nature of fighting combined with his skill and strength. Berto’s style though rough around the edges at times allows him to get hit by clean shots. While this is a weakness for Berto’s defense, there are a number of fans who enjoy seeing fighters exchange punches. Berto’s ability to absorb and return large amounts of punches does just that.
These two fighters share similar issues and records. Recently Andre Berto scored an eighth round technical knockout against Carlos Quintana who is the only fighter to defeat Paul Williams. Even though Williams avenged his defeat to Quintana in their second matchup this commonality is a starting ground for the two. Another factor that brings the two fighters to the same table is skill level. While there is a fair amount of consensus that Berto is not ready for say Floyd Mayweather, Williams can be arguably not ready either. Williams’ greatest strength is his gangly physique and reach of 82”. However he has struggled with fighters who can connect, case in point his controversial victory over Martinez in 2009. Many will argue that Williams’ awkward style of fighting combined with such reach is his best advantage, but in truth a fighter who knows how to fight in the pocket (like Mayweather) can easily exploit such a method that leaves countless openings for counter punching and closing the distance. Berto is the man for this task of exploitation because of his strength; no one makes getting punched in the head look cooler than Andre Berto and he has the granite chin that allows him to do so. A fighter with as much strength behind his jaw as his fist can take the chances necessary to close the distance on Williams and make for an exciting fight.
The final part to this potential dream matchup is diversity and potential. Williams has proclaimed he would be willing to fight in the welterweight class and Berto has fought at the middle weight size which could make a weight division easier to come to consensus on. It is also a fact that styles make fights and both of the fighters can apply pressure. Even though opposing styles tend to make a serious difference in the outcome of a fight when two pressure fighters meet it can be explosive just like the Pacquioa Marquez fights. Berto can use this match to legitimize his prestige and Williams can always use an opponent especially one with skill who can apply pressure back. The outcome could be a tossup which may lead to a rematch. Perhaps the two could fight at welterweight for one bout and middle weight for another. Whatever the outcome of the two different matchups this November Berto and Williams can become each other’s greatest assets in legitimizing their level of reverence in the sport should their paths ever cross.
Carmine Tabano
