In 2004, Haitian-American professional boxer Andre Berto, then 21, was ready and expected to cruise through the Olympic trials in Tunica, and qualify for the U.S. Olympic boxing squad. His dreams were almost brought to a halt when the eager 
athlete was disqualified from the U.S. team after throwing Juan McPherson to the canvas during their qualifying match. Although a ruling had originally been made in Berto’s favor by the USA Boxing Grievance Committee, a second committee reversed that ruling and eliminated Berto from the U.S. team. Luckily, due to his immediate Haitian descendence, the boxer was allowed to qualify for Team Haiti and was granted Haitian citizenship by the island country. Although he lost in the first round of the Olympic Games to Xavier Noel of France, Berto was grateful and proud to have participated and given it his all.
Later that year, Berto made his pro debut on DiBella Entertainment’s Season’s Beatings at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas. The young boxer, a native of Winter Haven, Florida, was as thrilled at the opportunity to finally showcase his skills in the professional arena as DiBella was to unleash this talented prospect to Arkansas boxing fans. Berto’s lawyer, Ray Rafool, a famed celebrity lawyer known to be revered and well-liked by his long list of high-profile clients, also expressed enthusiasm and support for Berto’s transition to professional boxing stating he was “excited for the world to see what we already know.”
Berto’s professional career was set to start off on a great foot from the beginning considering his highly successful amateur career during which he boasted a bronze medal at the 2003 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, two national Golden Gloves championships, two national Pal championships, and three US amateur championship medals in addition to 22 state titles in Florida.
In 2008, Berto became WBC (World Boxing Council) welterweight champion.
Tags: Andre Berto, Ray Rafool
