Andre Michael Berto Bio
Andre Michael Berto, born on September 7, 1983, in Winter Haven, Florida, is a professional boxer with dual American and Haitian citizenship. He is a two-time former welterweight world champion, holding the WBC and IBF titles between 2008 and 2011 and the WBA interim title in 2015. Known for his toughness, punching power, and hand speed, Berto was a rising star in the late 2000s, and his career includes participation in the 2003 World Championships and the 2004 Olympics representing Haiti.
Early Life and Background
Andre Berto was born to Haitian immigrant parents and grew up in Winter Haven, Florida, as one of seven children. His family has a strong combat sports background; his father Dieuseul was a professional kickboxer who competed in UFC 10, and his siblings Revelina and James are professional mixed martial artists. Berto was introduced to boxing by his father after experiencing bullying at school, training at his father’s gym, Tiger’s World, which helped him stay out of trouble in a challenging environment.
Path to Boxing
Berto had a distinguished amateur career, winning the National Golden Gloves tournament twice, in 2001 and 2003, at light middleweight and welterweight respectively. He represented the United States at the 2003 World Championships, earning a bronze medal, and later represented Haiti at the 2004 Olympics. His amateur success laid a solid foundation for his professional career, showcasing his potential on the international stage.
Andre Michael Berto Career
Early Career (2004–2006)
Berto began his professional career in 2004 and quickly established himself with a series of knockout victories. Between December 2004 and October 2006, he won 15 fights, 13 by knockout. His performance against Miguel Figueroa in December 2006, where he won by sixth-round stoppage, earned him ESPN.com’s Prospect of the Year award. He continued to build momentum with notable wins over Norberto Bravo and Martinus Clay in 2007.
WBC Welterweight Champion Breakthrough (2008–2011)
On June 21, 2008, Berto captured the vacant WBC welterweight title by defeating Miguel Rodriguez via seventh-round technical knockout. He successfully defended the title multiple times, including victories over Steve Forbes and Luis Collazo, despite some controversial decisions. Berto’s reign featured a dominant win against Juan Urango and a defense against Freddy Hernández. His tenure as WBC champion established him as one of the top welterweights globally.
In 2011, Berto lost the WBC title to Victor Ortiz in a fight named The Ring magazine’s Fight of the Year. Later that year, he rebounded by winning the IBF welterweight title against Dejan Zavec, becoming a two-time world champion. Berto relinquished the IBF title to pursue a rematch with Ortiz, which was ultimately canceled due to a positive drug test that was later attributed to contamination.
Later Career and WBA Interim Title (2012–Present)
Following his first professional defeat, Berto’s career experienced fluctuations with several losses between 2012 and 2015. He returned to form by winning the WBA interim welterweight title in 2015 with a sixth-round TKO over Josesito López. That same year, he faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. but was defeated by unanimous decision. Berto continued competing, including a notable rematch victory over Victor Ortiz in 2016 and bouts against Shawn Porter and Robert Guerrero. In 2023, he fought Guerrero again but lost by unanimous decision.
Driving Style and Strengths
Berto fights with an orthodox stance and is known for his toughness, formidable punching power, and fast hand speed. His aggressive style and ability to deliver powerful combinations have made him a formidable opponent in the welterweight division throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Berto’s career highlights include winning the WBC and IBF welterweight titles and the WBA interim title. His 2011 bout against Victor Ortiz was acclaimed as Fight of the Year. Despite setbacks, Berto has demonstrated resilience and the ability to return to championship form multiple times.
Andre Michael Berto Career Wins
Andre Berto has amassed a professional record of 32 wins and 6 losses, with 24 of those wins coming by knockout. His victories span multiple championship bouts and notable fights against top contenders in the welterweight division.
WBC Welterweight Highlights
Berto won the WBC welterweight title in 2008 and defended it successfully five times. His first title win came with a technical knockout over Miguel Rodriguez. He maintained a strong presence in the division until his first loss in 2011. His defenses included wins over Steve Forbes, Luis Collazo, and Juan Urango, showcasing his dominance during this period.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the WBC title, Berto captured the IBF welterweight championship in 2011 and the WBA interim title in 2015. His career includes significant wins over fighters like Josesito López and a rematch victory against Victor Ortiz, underscoring his longevity and competitiveness at the highest levels.
Andre Michael Berto Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Berto comes from a family deeply involved in combat sports. His father, Dieuseul Berto, was a professional kickboxer and UFC competitor. His siblings Revelina and James Edson Berto are professional mixed martial artists, reflecting a strong family tradition in fighting disciplines.
Personal Life
Andre Berto is married to Porsha Nicole Berto. Together, they have three children: a daughter named Legaci, born in 2019, and two sons, Levi Michael, born in 2020, and Lenox, born in 2024. Berto has been active in charitable efforts, including work with Project Medishare in Haiti following the earthquake.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Andre Berto remains an active competitor in the welterweight division. His recent fights have demonstrated his enduring skill and resilience despite the challenges faced in the latter part of his career. Berto continues to seek high-profile bouts and aims to leverage his experience to remain competitive in the evolving boxing landscape.