By SANTOS A. PEREZ, The Miami Herald
Andre Berto recognizes his title fight against Carlos Quintana on Saturday night is between the bookend bouts involving boxing's top welterweights.
A Miami native, Berto will fight Quintana at the BankAtlantic Center following Manny Pacquiao's lopsided win against Joshua Clottey on March 13 and before Floyd Mayweather Jr. faces Shane Mosley on May 1 in Las Vegas.
``People will be paying attention, especially since I have been away for a while,'' Berto said. ``This is a deep division, but there are a few of us who are in the top right now. In due time, everything is going to come.''
The backdrop of HBO televising Saturday's fight also could elevate Berto's profile. A victory over the battle-tested, ex-welterweight champion Quintana not only would reward Berto with the fourth successful defense of his World Boxing Council welterweight title but also place him closer to coveted matches against Pacquiao, Mayweather or Mosley.
``This is a big fight in a big stage,'' Berto said. ``I am going to go out and try to put on a great performance.''
Berto was scheduled to face Mosley on Jan. 30 but withdrew after the earthquake that struck his parents' native Haiti on Jan. 12. Berto has not fought since defeating Juan Urango on May 30 at the Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood.
``Everything happens for a reason,'' Berto said. ``Everybody's been reading and hearing what has been happening to me for months.''
Berto (25-0, 19 KOs) said the tragedy in Haiti affected him greatly but won't carry over into his bout against Quintana (27-2, 21 KOs).
``It's a situation you are never going to forget, it's always going to be part of you,'' Berto said. ``But I am completely motivated for this fight. We've had a tremendous training camp and we are ready to go.
``Quintana is a slick southpaw fighter. He knows how to capitalize on your mistakes. You just have to stick to your game plan and go to work.''
After spending most of his career as a welterweight, Quintana, 33, moved up to the junior-middleweight division. But Quintana immediately took on the opportunity to face Berto.
``Berto is a very talented fighter, and he is the favorite,'' Quintana said. ``But I enjoy being the underdog. It will give me more motivation to win the fight.''
Saturday's fight will headline a 10-bout card, which also will feature Celestino Caballero's first fight as a featherweight after a three-year run as super-bantamweight world champion. A Panama native, Caballero (33-2, 23 KOs) will face Indonesia's Daud Yordan (25-0, 19 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round bout.
South Florida based-fighters Antowne Smith and Jonathan Cepeda are scheduled to appear in undercard bouts. Cuba's Yudel Johnson, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist, also is on the undercard.
sperez@MiamiHerald.com
Source: miamiherald.com
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