EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ANDRE BERTO
By G. Leon

GL:  It's been a while since we've had you on BoxingTalk.  How's everything going with Andre Berto in preparation for the huge fight next month against Shane Mosley?  "Everything is good, I'm heavy in camp, focused, confident.  Everything is well."

GL:  Is there any different training approach that you're taking, being that you're the underdog for the first time in your career?

Andre Berto:  It's pretty much the same approach, but just tweaking certain things when it comes to strategy, when it comes to preparation.  We're just trying to make sure that we leave no stone unturned.  We're definitely putting in all the work that needs to be put in.

GL:  What do you feel is going to be the biggest difference in this fight that leads to your hand getting raised?

AB:  Just everything.  Just me all around as a fighter, using the conditioning, the speed, and the power.  In this fight, everyone is basically seeing my grow.  On the networks, they've seen me use power, seen me use speed, and in my last two or three fights, they've seen me move around and box.  It's time to incorporate it all.

GL:  How do you feel about being the underdog for the first time in your career?

AB:  It's meant to happen.  I'm fighting a Hall of Famer, so I already, pretty much, had that in mind.  It doen't make a difference where I'm at, it's just going to make me train harder.  It's going to make me prove myself once more.

GL:  What do you hoping a victory over Mosley leads to?

AB:  It's going to lead to bigger things, bigger fights, and more respect for beating one of the legends of the fame.  One of the major defining fighters out there.

GL:  It doesn't get much bigger than Mosley in your division.  As a matter of fact, the only bigger it would get is the Mayweather-Pacquiao winner.  Mosley is trying to use you as a "stepping stone" to get to the winner of that fight, and you're trying to do the same thing with him.  Is that correct?

AB:  Exactly.  This fight is important for both of us.  I'm just happy to be in the midst of Hall of Famers.  It's exciting, and at the same time, encouraging.  It makes me a lot more hungry, being where I am.

GL:  Closing thoughts.

AB:  Januray 30th is going to be an epic event, it's going to be exciting.  Do not miss it.

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