Losing always hurts, but the criticisms that's usually attached to it can be worse. In today's technology many fans can flood boxing forums with negative comments within a matter of seconds. In addition, the athlete's agonizing defeat can often be the topic of discussion by sport analysts over and over again.
For those who may not be mentally strong, one tragic loss can be devastating. We only need to be reminded of fighters such as Fernando Vargas and David Reid to find out how. They were never the same after suffering losses to Tito Trinidad.
However, a loss can also serve as a spark for an athlete to achieve his potential, which could be the case for Andre Berto. In an interview with Dennis Guillermo of Examiner.com, he mentioned about how he has changed his training regimen as well as becoming more aware of his body with the help of Victor Conte.
" Pretty much back home, we've always had the same training regimen. Just train hard, nonstop. No off days. Just grind ourselves to the ground and that is the way I've been brought up....It's time for a change. We are all professionals now and we're competing at the highest levels. So we need to deal with real top level guys. We need to get out of the amateur stuff, we've been on.....Back home we didn't really do all the vitamins, just protein shake. It was just all mental toughness"
He also talked about how he was unaware that he had been anemic, which he found out only after the results from all the tests he had done with Victor Conte, which could have explained how he seemed lethargic during the fight. But to be fair to Berto, he never made mentioned it as an excuse during a conversation with him.
But more importantly than changing his training regimen to improve his conditioning, Berto used the loss to Ortiz to improve himself as a fighter. According to him, it might have been a blessing in disguise. He was able to look at the tapes of the fight and saw his mistakes as well as weaknesses as a fighter.
In fact, in the same interview with Dennis Guillermo, he admitted the fact that he probably reached his current status in boxing just based on his physical gifts and talent. Now with a newfound focus not only in his training but technical skills as well, he could soon be turning the criticisms into praises.
Besides, with new talented fighters such as Devon Alexander, Timothy Bradley and Amir Khan set to join the welterweight ranks, he will have plenty of chances to prove himself once again as one of the elite fighters in the division. If he does, there is only one person to blame and that's Victor Ortiz.
Written by:
