Andre Berto

With laser quick hands and thundering power, Andre Berto enjoyed a quick ascent to the top of the boxing world. The former amateur star has racked up 25 wins, 19 coming by way of knockout, and claimed the WBC Welterweight World title in just five years a professional.

Since claiming the WBC title with a convincing knockout of Miguel Angel Rodriguez on June 21, 2008, the 26-year-old Berto has made three successful title defenses, defeating Steve Forbes, Luis Collazo and Juan Urango. The undefeated champion will face his toughest test to date on January 30, battling the legendary “Sugar” Shane Mosley at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in a world title unification bout.

The outlook didn't always look as bright for Berto when he was young. The future boxing phenom quickly built a reputation as the problem child. His father Dieuseul, a strict disciplinarian and Ultimate Fighter, responded to the consistent calls from his son’s school by taking the 10-year-old with him to the gym. Although the sweet science didn't originally pique his interest, it wasn't long until Berto began training as a boxer.

From the time that he and his brothers were small, their father pushed them to their limits, making them box for hours in the kitchen or punishing the kids with 500 squats and push-ups before skill. Work ethic was instilled in him as a child, as he ran through the streets of Winter Haven, Fla., with his father following him in his car, nudging his son with the vehicle if his pace slowed. Although it wasn't always easy for Berto, the discipline and focus
instilled by his dad have shaped him into the well-tuned boxer and role model that he is today.

After racking up numerous amateur titles in the United States, he went on to represent his family’s native Haiti in the 2004 Olympic Games, serving as a one-man team for the Island nation. Berto was the first-ever boxer to represent Haiti in the Olympic Games. Although he didn’t win a medal at the Olympic Games, Berto left Athens as one of the most highly-sought after
boxers by top professional boxing managers and promoters.

Berto made the long-awaited move to the professional ranks on December 4, 2004 and he hasn’t looked back, notching victories and building his ever growing fan base with his entertaining, action-packed style and charismatic personality. Known for his bone-crunching uppercuts and blindingly-fast combinations, Berto has become a staple on HBO and a key player in boxing’s jam-packed welterweight division.

Both in and out of the ring, Berto prides himself on being a positive example for youth, battling obesity in the United States and taking time to mentor the young people in his community. He is highly involved with his local Boys and Girls club and enjoys speaking to the youngsters from his community to show them that success is possible with hard work and dedication to your goals.

In addition, Berto is on the Board of Directors of the Carma Foundation, a charity founded by Melky Jean, sister of music superstar Wyclef Jean, aimed at bettering the lives of women and children in his native Haiti. Berto and his family took a philanthropic trip to the island nation in April of 2009 to provide much-needed shoes and food to children in his homeland.

Berto has been trained by coach Tony Morgan since he first tied on the gloves as a youngster and the two continue their successful relationship today. The duo continue to train at the Winter Haven Police Athletic League gym where they worked out when Berto was a youngster, and are even holding his training camp for the January 30th with Mosley at his long-time training facility.

Berto is managed one of the most powerful forces in professional boxing, Al Haymon, and promoted by DiBella Entertainment.