Andre Berto had a busy birthday week, but he now hopes to get down to business inside the ropes.
Undefeated WBC welterweight belt-holder Andre Berto turned 26-years-old last Monday and he has been on a whirlwind, five city “birthday tour” for the past 10 days. Behind the scenes with Berto shows that he likes to travel, he likes to hit the clubs and he's enjoying the life of a young, high-profile boxer.
But Berto was able to mix business at HBO with pleasure in hopes of soon landing a fight.
The “Berto Birthday Tour” all began when he arrived last Saturday at Dan Marino's Tavern on the Lake in Orlando, Florida. Berto hung out with NBA players Drew Gooden who plays for the Dallas Mavericks and Amar'e Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns.
From Orlando, Berto on Sunday headed south to Miami Beach and checked into the Fontainbleau Hotel where he hung out at the pool with friend Dee Ray Davis. Berto then took in a Lil Wayne concert at the Bank Atlantic Center before closing out the night and ringing in his birthday at the Liv club. Berto remained in Miami on Monday and Tuesday with friends Bow Wow and Trey Songz.
On Wednesday, Berto headed for Atlanta, Georgia and more birthday celebrations at the Luckie Lounge. On Thursday evening he appeared on Atlanta's V-103.3 radio station with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.
Berto and Ochocinco have called each other out on several occasions over the past month and Berto recently said, “It's been a nonstop situation between me and this crazy dude. Chad's my man, but we've been going back and forth. I'd go ahead and smash him out real quick,” Berto said. “We could make it for charity or something and I could beat him for the kids.”
Berto says that if Chad Ochocinco keeps talking he may just get what he's been looking for - a fight.
On Friday morning, Berto, whose record is 25-0, 19 KOs, took some time away from partying, got a work-out in, and the next day headed for the airport and a trip to Houston, Texas.
Berto continued the celebration Saturday night and well into Sunday morning at “The Office” bar and lounge in Houston. A surprise visitor at the Houston party was possible future foe - “Sugar” Shane Mosley who Berto may face early next year. While it's not clear if Mosley and Berto discussed a possible fight, they did take some time to chat and pose for pictures together.
By Monday morning, Berto was back at the Houston airport and on his way to New York City for two days of meetings with the brass at HBO and the head shot caller, Ross Greenburg. Berto arrived for a brief meeting with HBO late Monday afternoon to discuss his immediate future and his upcoming fights.
By Monday night Berto was again back out on the town and in the clubs where he celebrated at the Mansion and the Pink Elephant. He was presented with a boxing glove birthday cake and a painting of boxing gloves.
Tuesday afternoon saw another round of meetings with HBO. Berto emerged from both days' meetings feeling good about his future. After Monday's meeting he wrote on his Twitter page: “Had a great meeting with the HBO heads” and on Tuesday he Tweeted, “Just got finished meeting with Ross Greenburg the big Boss of HBO sports we have big things planned big surprises stay tuned.”
September 2009
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