<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffee" cellPadding=4 width=423><TBODY><TR><TD>Berto-Mosley is off [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+1][/SIZE][/FONT]Andre Berto’s Statement: Since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, I have been focusing on my family and the Haitian people who are facing an inconceivable battle for survival while still trying to continue to prepare for an opportunity I have dreamt of since childhood. I lost several family members to the earthquake and after two days without word, was relieved to learn that my sister, Naomi and her daughter, Jessica survived, but were left homeless. I have seen the pain in my parents’ eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland and recognize a place they once called home. As a result of this disaster, I am mentally and physically exhausted and therefore I have no choice but to withdraw from my bout on January 30. Throughout the past six days, I have received an incredible outpouring of support, and I sincerely appreciate everyone’s prayers for the people of Haiti. I hope that everyone will continue to keep the Haitian people in their thoughts and prayers as we work to rebuild this proud nation. The rebuilding of Haiti is not something that will happen overnight, but I am fully dedicated to helping the Haitian people recover from this catastrophic event. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Doesn't surprise me. Berto's mind has got to be going in a million places rather than focusing on the fight. Hopefully we get Mayweather-Mosley out of this.
At the same time though I was thinking that Berto would come in and fight like a bat out of hell for his people and win the title in an emotional event that would get press around the world. I guess not. :dunno:
So thats over a years worth of inactivity for steriod Shane. Impressive stuff from a fighter who is willing to fight anybody anywhere for any money.
This was my first thought. I also couldn't believe with everything going on that Berto was originally saying the fight would go on. I wish him and his family well, he's definitely not in the right frame of mind to train for and fight the biggest fight of his career.
Biases make otherwise normal people look absolutely retarded and this guy is taking to it to a 'stalkers' level. He should be put on a "watch" list.
As a selfish boxing fan, this is terrible news. I was really starting to look forward to Mosley/Berto. I thought it was going to be a very fun fight to watch. Still, nothing bad to say about the situation. I can't relate to what Berto is going through, I hope his family ends up OK.
Since the Earthquake in Haiti, a Part of REED Actually WANTED this to Happen...Win, Lose or Draw, Berto's Performance WOULD have Been Compromised to SOME Degree... He Would've Fought ABOVE Himsef or BELOW his Capabilities...Either Way, Boxing Fans WOULDN'T have Gotten a TRUE Representation of Andre Berto in the BIGGEST Fight of his Life.... This News SUCKS For Now, but Ultimately it's BEST... REED:mj:
I won't pile on any more then already has been. :: ah shit, sure I will "In other news today, a devastating Earthquake in Haiti has killed thousands and led to the cancellation of the Andre Berto vs. Shane Mosley fight. The internet poster known as "royyjonesjrp4pno1" blames Shane Mosley for the devastation. "Shane was obviously injecting steroids into that fault-line because he was afraid of Floyd Mayweather" he was quoted as saying. When confronted by this reporter that "that makes no fucking sense whatsoever", royjonesjrp4pno1 replied "Of course, it wouldn't to you. You're nothing but a hater and Floyd will soon prove his dominance in the Welterweight division by beating Nonito Donaire in a one-sided fashion. He'll even handicap himself by fighting Nonito at a catchweight of 145 lbs. Only haterz will argue that doesn't automatically put Floyd at the top of all the lb. for lb. lists." ray:
For every Buster Douglas there are probably 99 examples of guys getting their butt kicked when fighting with mental anguish.
leaving aside Berto's tragedy, it does however cap off a miserable start for boxing in 2010, what with (a) mayweather-pac off the menu for the first half of 2010 at least (b) RJJ-Hopkins 2-potentially on HBO PPV (c) Ricky Hatton looking to cashin in/out in 2010 (d) Mosley-Berto cancelled. Thankfully, the comparatively lesser lights such as as valero, de marco, juanma, luevano, bika, green, abraham, dirrell, kessler, froch etc. will help us forget the bad start
Completely agreed. I'm very sad though...was really looking forward to this fight...but as you said Berto would not have been the same fighter: either a shadow of himself or a man possessed and Shane's temperament would have also been affected. We would have seen a different fight. Hopefully, however, there's a silver lining to this cloud and Shane vs Floyd is made...because afterall...THIS is the fight that true boxing fans want to see (even moreso than Floyd vs Pac) The Sly One has Spoken!! (see y'all again before the next big fight)
You can almost scratch Green vs Bika off as well. Probably not going to happen as Bika still has not actually signed the contract for that fight. Green will most likely just walk right in to the Super 6 now. That is on fightnews as well.
Sounds to me like Shane beating Toni and shocking the world last year probably did more damage than we first realised. The aftershocks are still being felt. Even in Haiti.
I don't blame Shane. I blame Shane for having a years worth of inactivity because of his refusual to fight contenders in his division.
He was going to fight another titlist in his division. Not his fault that Berto pulled the plug. How is that refusal to fight contenders?
You seriously don't think he could have fought again in 2009. He and Berto could have fought already before the earthquake hit but Shane wanted more money.
Place Paul Williams on the list of names that Shane Mosley has no interest in fighting. Mosley seems to be sticking to his guns. He only has three names on his list - and the three potential targets are Ricky <NOBR id=itxt_nobr_0_0 style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 100%; COLOR: darkgreen">Hatton</NOBR>, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. He would probably fight Floyd Mayweather Jr - if Floyd decides to make an official return to the ring. Last week, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer revealed that Mosley had absolutely no interest in fighting WBC champion Andre Berto. Mosley himself has gone on the record and told The Ring Online that a Williams fight is not appealing to him. Mosley does not believe their two styles will match up well. “I’d fight anyone,” Mosley said, “but I really wouldn’t want to fight him.”
Sobecause Mosley is at least honest about it, he should be crucified? Maybe we should be happy he speaks his mind instead of hides behind PED's, money/parity and other "cheating" reasons?
