Mosley vs. Berto Canceled as Andre Berto Deals with Tragedy and the Haitian Earthquake Aftermath
Boxing fans have been eagerly anticipating the Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto match, scheduled for January 30th. However, Andre Berto has now withdrawn from the contest due to the circumstances involving the Haitian earthquake that ravaged his homeland. It’s not just that Berto is from Haiti, it’s that eight members of his family died in the disaster, and the lives of others have been turned upside down.
Jemele Hill of ESPN wrote a report on Berto’s family and the aftermath of the devastating quake that made quick, vicious work of the island’s towns as if it was a Berto combination launched at an overmatched, back-peddling foe. It turns out that the biggest fight of Berto’s life was indeed due to happen in January, only Shane Mosley wasn’t the foe, this monster earthquake was.
Andre Berto withdrawing from the Mosley vs. Berto bout is certainly understandable given the circumstances. One would have more than a bit of trouble pouring his complete mental and physical efforts into training for a boxing match when his family and entire country is going through such a terrible ordeal.
After the cancellation of the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather contest, that’s two major blows against the beginning of the boxing year. However, it brings to the surface some rumors that were already swirling about a potential Mayweather vs. Mosley bout.
With Mosley and Mayweather both having a free calendar now, one wonders if they would be able to get together for a bout sooner than later. It would be a completely satisfying bout for Mayweather fans and detractors alike, and would alleviate some of the pressure and scorn he faced for the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight being torn to shreds. It would also stoke Mosley’s fires, and it would certainly one-up the Pacquiao vs. Clottey bout that’s scheduled for March 13th.
In the mean time, prayers, condolences and best wishes to Andre Berto, his family and the whole of Haiti. Mosley vs. Berto is off, but surely Berto will be back before too much time has passes. If nothing else, he has the motivation to fight for his family more than ever now.
With both this bout and Pacquiao vs. Mayweather down the tubes, don’t be surprised to see Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley sometime in the near future. It’s the best fight for both to make, and both would salvage a situation that’s gone bad. Stay tuned for more updates regarding Andre Berto and the potential Mosley vs. Mayweather fight that has been rumored.
