Andre Berto vs Robert Guerrero Preview December 16th, 2023
A full 11 years after they first met, two former world champions will clash on Saturday, December 16th as former four-division champ Robert Guerrero of Gilroy, California takes on former Welterweight Champ Andre Berto of Miami, Florida. The 10-round bout can be seen live in North America on Showtime. Guerrero’s last outing was a 10-round unanimous decision win over Victor Ortiz in August, 2021 while Berto last fought in August, 2018 when he beat Devon Alexander by a 12-round split decision. Guerrero and Berto battled in November, 2012 with Guerrero dropping Berto in the first and second rounds and going on to win a 12-round unanimous decision for the interim WBC Welterweight Title. Both boxers are now 40 years old.
Berto vs Guerrero Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Andre Berto +145
- Robert Guerrero -175
My Pick
Berto climbs into the ring with a 32-5 record along with 24 Kos. He’s gone 6-5 in his last 11 outings and suffered from shoulder problems in his last few active years. Berto didn’t look the same after the shoulder problems, but looked pretty good against Victor Ortiz in April, 2016 when he stopped him in four rounds in their rematch. He was still dangerous in that fight due to his desire, vicious attacks, fine jab and mean uppercut. He fought just twice after that though as he was stopped in nine rounds by Shawn Porter in 2017 and was also dropped in the second round and then beat Alexander in what many believed was his swansong.
Berto was never the greatest defensive boxer out there and his chin was questionable towards the tail end of his career. He stands just over 5-feet-7-inches tall and has a wingspan of 68.5 inches. He turned pro in 2004 after a fine amateur career and has gone 226 rounds since then. Berto has good power as 75 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage. He’s a former IBF and WBC World Welterweight Champion and peaked several years ago when he beat the likes of Luis Collazo, Juan Urango, David Estrada, Josesito Lopez, Steve Forbes, and Carlos Quintana.
Berto has been set back by injuries over the past few of years and underwent shoulder surgery and of course he’s been out of the ring for five years now. He’ll need to be at 100 per cent to be successful on Saturday night however if he hopes to avenge his loss to Guerrero. Berto lost his WBC title to Victor Ortiz by unanimous decision in their first meeting in 2011 and he’s also been beaten by Floyd Mayweather, Jesus Soto Karass and Guerrero with Karass and Porter being the only men to stop him.
Former multi-division world champion Guerrero lost three three fights in a row and four of seven between 2013 and 2017 but then bounced back with three consecutive victories against limited opposition before the Covid-19 pandemic struck the world. These defeats were to David Peralta by split decision as well as unanimous decisions to former world champions Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman and Floyd Mayweather Jr and a third-round stoppage at the hands of Omar Figueroa Jr.
This means Guerrero makes the ring walk with a record of 37-6-1 with 20 Kos. His other loss came back in 2005 when he dropped a 12-round split decision to Gamaliel Diaz. He did manage to beat Aron Martinez in 2015 by split decision in a tough bout in which he had to pick himself up from the canvas in and also has solid victories over the likes of Secluk Aydin, Joel Casamayor, Michael Katsidis, Yoshihiro Kamegai Martin Honorio, Jason Litzau, Efren Hinojosa, and Berto and has won world titles in four different weight divisions.
His lone draw was a technical decision against Julian Rodriguez in 2004 and he also has a pair of no contests on his record against Daud Yordan and Orlando Salido. Guerrero measures 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 71-inch reach for a 1.5-inch height advantage and 2.5-inch edge in reach on Berto. He has 312 rounds under his belt since turning pro in 2001 and 51.4 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage. Like Berto, he’s taken on some tough customers during his career and has quite a bit of big-fight experience.
Guerrero can take a punch as he has an excellent chin. He used to combine fine boxing skills and mobility with inside fighting while throwing a variety of punches and combinations from different ranges and angles. After moving up to the welterweight division though he preferred to fight mainly on the inside and maul his way into a brawl while unloading short shots and uppercuts.
Prediction…
Guerrero’s boxing skills shouldn’t be underestimated as he can box effectively if needed but is probably best remembered for his past wars. Berto is more of a power puncher but doesn’t possess the chin that Guerrero does. Both boxers are well past their prime and will be facing a lot of ring rust. Their styles are very fan-friendly though and this could erupt into a slugfest. However it’s unclear if this is going to be treated as somewhat of an exhibition fight or a glorified sparring match. If it’s for real, I’m leaning towards Guerrero as he fought just two years ago but if it’s going to be treated as a sparring match then a draw is the most likely outcome.
Guerrero has fought more recently.
Play: Guerrero -175 @ BetOnline.ag
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Andre Berto betting • Robert Guerrero betting