Haiti's Killer Quake Could Energize Andre Berto Against Mosley
14/01/2010 00:25
Haiti's devastating earthquake that killed thousands of people in the western hemisphere's poorest country is taking its toll on the Haitian-American boxer Andre Berto as he fights Shane Mosley on January 30 for the WBC-WBA unification title in Las Vegas.
Haiti's devastating earthquake could either make or break Andre Berto's professional boxing career as he goes up against Shane Mosley on January 30 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Berto, who was born in Florida, USA is worried about his relatives and friends who were victims of the devastating earthquake.
The undefeated boxer's parents are from Haiti and the country holds a special place in Berto's heart. "I'm devastated by everything currently happening in Haiti," Berto said Wednesday.
"As everybody knows, I have a lot of family members in Haiti and proudly represented Haiti in the 2004 Olympic Games. Like many other Haitian-Americans, my family and I are working to reach my loved ones. From what we have learned to this point, some of my family members are still missing and we have already been informed that members of my family have passed away in the earthquake."
"Andre has a strong Haitian identity and has been involved with Haitian causes for a long time," said Lou DiBella, who has promoted Berto for his entire career.
"His foundation's office has collapsed and he knows that members of his mother's family are missing and presumed dead. It's a bad situation."
"He's training as hard as he can and trying to approach this fight with Mosley with a clear head, but right now he is personally distraught," DiBella said.
"But I think he will turn that energy to his advantage because he knows that going out there and winning the fight will mean a lot to his Haitian fans and put him in a better position [financially] to help his people. He has friends and family all over Haiti, so pray for them. Pray for all the people of Haiti. My office is helping see what we can do."
The catastrophic devastation in Haiti could haunt Berto as he climbs up the ring to face Mosley on January 30 or he could turn the situation in his favor and get energized by the scope of devastation that Haiti is facing. He knows that winning the fight against Mosley will mean a lot to the people of Haiti in times of their sorrows and sufferings.
Shane Mosley is scheduled to face Andre Berto for a WBC, WBA welterweight title unification bout on January 30th, 2010 after which a showdown with Floyd Mayweather may be on the cards now that his fight with Manny Pacquiao has fallen through.
The fight between Shane Mosley and Andre Berto is promoted by Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions and will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(original article appeared @ Digital Journal )