Facing Jesus Soto Karass on Saturday!
Andre Berto returns to the ring this Saturday, July 27 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Haitian slugger will take on tough Los Mochis warrior Jesus Soto Karass for the vacant NABF welterweight title. The gladiators will clash in the Showtime main event of “Knockout Kings II” presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions.
I caught up with Berto as he prepped for the summer showdown. Before he left for training camp, the former WBC and IBF titlist lent a fist of support to fellow champ Sugar Ray Leonard’s “Big Fighters, Big Cause” charity event. During our chat, the boxer was relaxed, animated and looking forward to getting back in the ring.
On Saturday night, Berto (28-2, 22 KOs) hopes to get back in the win column as he takes on the rugged Soto Karass (27-8-3, 17 KOs), who always comes to fight and is never in a boring fight. This rumble has a lot at stake for both men. The veteran Soto Karass is coming off a January victory over Selcuk Aydin and planning to keep his win streak going while Andre is coming back after his last defeat.
Berto is preparing for battle for the first time since his lost to Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero in November 2012. Andre is also known for his thrilling war with Victor Ortiz (which Berto ultimately lost). The 29-year-old has claimed victories over Jan Zaveck, Freddy Hernandez, Carlos Quintana, Luis Collazo, Steve Forbes and others while also battling injuries and banned substance controversies (which thwarted his rematch with Victor Ortiz).
Although born in the U.S., the Haitian sensation is proud to represent his fellow countrymen such as Jean Pascal and Bermane Stiverne. Now he’s back in the limelight as the main attraction in this Showtime “tripleheader” with Berto vs. Soto Karass, Omar Figueroa Jr. vs. Nihito Arakawa and Diego Chaves vs. Keith Thurman.
Will the amateur standout and 2004 Haitian Olympian beat Soto Karass in the duel for the NABF belt?
In his weekend collision against Jesus Soto Karass, Berto promises: “I’m gonna whoop some ass!”
Mexican veteran Soto Karass is known as “Renuente” and is known for never quitting, one willing to go out on his shield.
Andre Berto vs. Jesus Soto Karass is set to explode this weekend. Tune in this Saturday to catch the action!
Photo by Steve Harpst