Lord of the Ring

“It’s still slow motion right now,” he says when discussing the state of Haiti in 2011. “Of course it’s not on the cover of every newspaper or on your televisions, but it’s very slow. There’s still a lot of help that needs to be sent over that way. It’s up to people like myself to continue to build awareness to that situation. I have the platform to use my talent as well as being on networks like HBO to bring awareness to the situation.”

With his boxing career back in full swing, Berto scored two impressive victories as he scored a eighth-round TKO over Carlos Quintana and annihilated previously unbeaten Freddy Hernandez in the first round last November. But the high profile fighters still remain elusive and you can hear the annoyance in Berto’s voice. This is a man tired of being on the “cusp of greatness.” He’s ready now.

“It’s part of the business,” Berto says with a hint of sarcasm as to why names like Mayweather and Pacquiao avoid him. “People are getting frustrated and want to see me in the ring with some of the top guys. Those guys are getting old and trying to put themselves in a position to make as much money as possible rather than fight a young tiger. The sport needs a new star. They keep trying to recycle the same names. People are ready for new fresh faces that have speed, power and the ability to bring excitement.”

Berto is well aware that the great equalizer in boxing is the knockout punch. When you take a look at the history of the sport, names like Mike Tyson brought excitement to the sport by blasting their foes into “Bolivia” (word to Mike Tyson). Pacquiao’s popularity has soared with his obliteration of everyone put in front of him. Could Berto become a little Mike Tyson? He wouldn’t go that far, but clearly knows that knocking people’s heads off will gain more attention than going the distance. “The critics questioned if I could box so I switched it up to show them,” he says regarding fights with Luis Collazo, Juan Urango and Steve Forbes – all of which went the distance. “But the fans questioned why I was going the distance. Now it’s back to knocking people out.”

As a part of Lou DiBella’s promotional team, Berto is on the outside looking in when it comes to the two biggest promotion companies in boxing: Bob Arum’s Top Rank and Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaeffer’s Golden Boy Promotions. Arum holds the keys to Pacquiao’s future and has voiced his disapproval of Berto’s choice of opponents (especially the choice to fight Victor Ortiz in April). But he says this while not offering up his top fighters (Pacquiao and Cotto) for Berto to test his ability.

“Bob Arum wants to keep everything in the house. He doesn’t care what people say, as long as he’s making money,” he says as he cites Pacquiao’s past three fights being against Top Rank promoted fighters. “I think the only thing to do is for me to create my own lane by doing my job. It’s going to make the fans and the media demand a Berto vs. Pacquiao fight. I’ve got a mean marketing plan and I’m going to continue to knock people’s heads off until I’m the only fight that makes sense for Pacquiao or Mayweather.”

As long as he keeps heads ringing, somebody will be listening.