One-On-One with Andre Berto

GL: Can you give us some thoughts on your July 27 bout with Cosme Rivera? "It's going to be the main event of Friday Night Fights. It's going down at Saratoga where they race the horses, but that Friday night there's going be a thoroghbred in the ring, that beast from Florida.

GL: What do you think about Rivera as a fighter? Does he go the distance?

Andre Berto: "I haven't seen much of him. I saw his fight with Zab Judah and I saw where he fought Joel Julio. He's been in the game for a while and he's a tough fighter, but it's going to be a whole new wave of athlete coming through and it's going to be fun. He's durable and he's going to be right there for me so I'm looking forward to it."

GL: Can you give us some thoughts on the Cotto-Judah fight? Did Miguel impress you?

AB: (laughs) "He did what he had to do. I think after the second or third round Cotto probably took his heart a little bit. But real talk, it was just frustrating to watch. I know Zab has all of the tools to do whatever he wanted to do with Cotto. He had the speed and the power, but it just looked like he didn't want to display it, but Miguel did what he needed to do. He came in there and he dominated."

GL: So were you impressed with Cotto?

AB: "Uhh, I was impressed with his heart. In terms of skills he's a pretty decent fighter, but I was most impressed with his heart."

GL: How many fights before you're ready for a Cotto?

AB: "We're looking to get a few more fights in, but I think that's a fight I'll be looking at before the end of next year. Maybe sooner. I think after a few more fights, I'll be right there and ready for any of them."

GL: If you're victorious on ESPN on July 27 will your next fight take place on HBO?

AB: "That's the gameplan, but as of right now the objective is Friday Night Fights and taking out Cosme Rivera. But if all goes well that night, it looks like I'll be back on HBO before the end of September."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

AB: "Everybody needs to tune into ESPN2 Friday Night Fights on July 27. I'm going to put on a great show against a tough fighter in Cosme Rivera and continue to work my way to the top of the welterweight mountain."

M

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