***Hard Hitting DBE Welterweight Andre Berto to pay tribute to
Legendary Promoter Jackie Leonard at September 29 bout***
Winter Haven, FL August 28 ---Many sports fans say the younger athletes of today don’t remember or think about the legends that came before them. This is not the case with DiBella Entertainment power puncher Andre Berto who was saddened to hear about the passing of legendary Promoter/Trainer Jackie Leonard today at the age of 89. “Jack was a great man. He really cared about his fighters and the sport of boxing,” said the 2004 Olympian.
Jackie Leonard promoted many world title fights including those involving Sugar Ray Robinson and Archie Moore. Later in life, Leonard opened up a boxing gym in Winter Haven, Florida. This is where Jackie met a young Berto. “Jack is the man who taught me how to form my foundation of boxing. He taught me how to throw my first correct punch,” said the undefeated welterweight.
Berto (19-0, 16 KO’s) is currently preparing for a clash with David Estrada in the co-feature bout on the September 29th Jermain Taylor-Kelly Pavlik card at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Berto wants to dedicate the bout to Jackie Leonard and will pay tribute to him by wearing a “JL” patch on the trunks he will wear in the ring that night.
There are those who question whether or not Jackie Leonard should be in Boxing’s Hall of Fame. Berto feels “a person like Jack definitely is a Hall of Fame figure in the sport and should have a spot in Canastota. Jack was a great person and a true friend. He gave me a chance and for that I will always love him.”
Andre Berto thorough defeat
Andre Berto is coming off of a win of Cosme Rivera Friday July 27 at the Saratoga Springs City Center in conjunction with the horse raceway series.
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