Andre Berto vs Shawn Porter is a fight that promises fireworks for a number of reasons. A look at the keys to victory.

Andre Berto vs Shawn Porter Preview

Andre Berto vs Shawn Porter takes place on Saturday night April 22nd at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn in New York.

Where Berto and Porter are concerned, excitement is very rarely far behind. Now the two clash in a must-win contest for both former Welterweight world champions.

Berto 31-4(24KO’s) is the former WBC & IBF ruler. Both titles held at different periods. While Porter is the more recent of the title holders with a short reign as IBF champ.

But while Berto’s experience is just ahead of that of Porter, the latter would seem the fresher. Certainly more likely to reclaim world glory.

Porter 26-2-1(16KO’s) has already beaten the likes of Devon Alexander and Adrien Broner. But he has come up narrowly short in two contests that as things stand would define his career.

Beating Berto would not make up for defeats to Kell Brook and Keith Thurman. Instead it would lead the Ohio fighter to another crack at the best 147lb fighters.

Berto has stepped in the ring once since losing in Floyd Mayweather’s final contest. He stopped a Victor Ortiz who has found fame outside of the ropes.

That was 12 months ago, while Porter has not fought since his narrow June 2016 defeat to ‘One Time’ Thurman.

(Via PBC YouTube – hat tip)

The two look naturally big at the Welterweight limit, but it is Porter that may prove the stronger and certainly more economic on the inside, while he is an underrated boxer.

As for Berto, he can only improve under the tutelage of Virgil Hunter, but he is slow of foot and is easily dragged into an inside war, where he is often drawing the short end of the stick.

Against Porter he could once again become a victim in a thoroughly entertaining contest.

Berto has always done well at soaking up punishment, but a stoppage loss to Jesus Soto Karass may have been the initial indication that Berto’s resistance is cracking.

Porter’s relentless assaults could force a second career defeat inside the schedule.

Andre Berto vs Shawn Porter Prediction and Undercard Look

Berto will look to stick Porter with the jab in the early going.

The favourite though will chip away to the body, eventually letting his hands go enough to start racking up the rounds as the fight passes the halfway mark.

By round 8, Porter will be in full stride, while Berto looks to grit it out.

But with no chance of changing the geography of the contest – as the great Teddy Atlas would say – then Berto will struggle to hear the final bell.

Porter, firing on all cylinders can force a late stoppage, but may have to settle for a points win with Berto once again earning plaudits for his toughness.

In a fascinating co-feature, Jermell Charlo makes the maiden defence of his WBC Super Welterweight championship against mandatory challenger Charles Hatley.

Jermell – twin brother of former IBF ruler Jermall – struggled when winning the belt against John Jackson last May. Often a quality boxer, Jermell was out of sorts and needed to rely on power to score an 8^th round knockout.

Hatley 26-1-1(18KO’s) has certainly taken confidence from that and believes he has the slicker skills to dethrone Charlo at the Barclays Center.

The two Texas fighters should duke it out in a fan-friendly clash of confident young boxers, but ultimately the better class will come from Charlo, who may need to call upon his punching power to save himself from a nervy wait on the cards.

But the pick is for Charlo 28-0(13KO’s) to take a narrow win on all three scorecards.