"Andre Berto ain't gonna fight me, man. He's picking his opponents. He thinks he's like Mayweather, but that's not the case. He hasn't really fought anybody and he needs to step it up and I've been calling him out. I put the challenge out there, but he's not accepting it...I can stop Berto, man. I know he's been knocked out cold in the amateurs and knocked down as a professional by Cosme Rivera. He went to his corner and had to exchange gloves because his gloves supposedly ripped, and I think that's what saved him in that fight. I know for sure that I can knock Berto out," stated former welterweight champion Kermit Cintron, who's eager to return to the 147-pound division to see if any of the champions, particularly Andre Berto, is brave enough to step into the ring with him. You don't want to miss what else he had to say. Check it out!
PC: How is everything going man?
KC: Everything is all good man. I've enjoyed the holidays and now I'm ready to get back to business man. I'm trying to get back in the ring as soon as possible.
PC: You were named as a possible opponent for Miguel Cotto earlier in the year, and there were a few other bouts where your name came up as a possibility, but none of those things popped off. Have you heard anything on your next fight?
KC: I have heard absolutely nothing man. I've been calling out Berto these last couple of days to try to get that fight going, but nothing has been happening. I'm going back down to 147 and I'm gonna take care of business there.
PC: Is the move back to 47 strictly because there are more options there?
KC: I have some unfinished business there. I began there as a world champion and now my goal is to try to get all of the belts. I feel with Ronnie Shields training me, and the team that I have with James Prince behind me, they will make that happen for me.
PC: Have you been in the gym? Because you haven't fought since May.
KC: Right now, I've been doing weight training and a little bit of conditioning. I haven't done no boxing at all. I actually like it that way because it gives my body a rest as well, but I'm ready to get back in the gym and start training.
PC: There were a lot of people not pleased with Berto's last opponent. Does he seem receptive to the fight? Are you hearing anything from Berto's camp?
KC: Man...Andre Berto ain't gonna fight me, man. He's picking his opponents. He thinks he's like Mayweather, but that's not the case. He hasn't really fought anybody and he needs to step it up and I've been calling him out. I put the challenge out there, but he's not accepting it.
PC: You guys have the same promoter; it seems like it would be a fairly easy fight to make.
KC: Yeah, well, that's all up to HBO. Al Haymon and HBO have a good relationship and they are letting him do what he wants. I think that's hurting the sport and he needs to step it up and stop hiding behind Al Haymon's skirt.
PC: Do you see flaws in Berto's game that you feel you could capitalize on if you guys were to fight?
KC: I can stop Berto, man. I know he's been knocked out cold in the amateurs and knocked down as a professional by Cosme Rivera. He went to his corner and had to exchange gloves because his gloves supposedly ripped, and I think that's what saved him in that fight. I know for sure that I can knock Berto out.
PC: Would you like to get your feet wet again at 147 with a tune-up type of fight or are you gunning straight for a big fight?
KC: I just want to get in the ring and fight. What are tune-up fights? Tune-up fights, to me, are the worst because they are the most dangerous fights out there. Anything can happen in these fights and if a guy that is supposedly a tune-up catches you with a lucky punch or whatever, then your stock drops big time. You drop in the rankings and everything, so I'm just ready to get in the ring and challenge the world champions at 147. If I have to take a couple of fights before that, then that's what I'm going to have to do. I'm coming at everybody at 147 though, that's for sure.
PC: Are you targeting a particular month to come back in?
KC: As soon as possible, but hopefully March 12th, Lou Dibella will have something for me. I took the rest of this year off to spend time with the family and I thought it would be enough time for Lou Dibella to get a date for me and a fight. I've been off for 7 months and he hasn't done nothing. He says he's trying, but at this time, there is absolutely nothing, so right now, I'm just sitting at home waiting.
PC: How disappointing is it for you not to get dates when you're still a name in the sport and we've seen some less deserving guys get TV dates?
KC: Nobody wants to fight a big puncher. I'm a dangerous puncher and I can fight. These guys don't want to lose, so I guess I just sit back and wait.
PC: Thanks for your time Kermit. I hope something comes up for you soon. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
KC: I'm still convinced that 2011 is going to be my year. I'm just waiting to get the call so that I can start training.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]