Former welterweight titleholder Andre Berto will return to action on September 6, part of Showtime's card in Cincinnati. That part was known already, and now, we have an opponent. Berto, who will fight for the first time with Virgil Hunter as his trainer, will be taking on veteran Steve Upsher Chambers in a 10 round bout.
Berto, who turns 31 the day after his return, hasn't fought since a July 2013 loss to Jesus Soto Karass, a thrilling action fight with an upset result, partially due to Berto re-injuring his shoulder. He's undergone surgery and therapy since then, and is coming back against a tune-up foe who doesn't present any real danger.
Chambers (24-3-1, 6 KO) has lost two in a row, a decision against Luis Collazo and a stoppage to prospect Eddie Gomez. The 29-year-old Philly fighter has also been out of the ring for a year, with his last fight coming in August 2013, so he'll be rusty, too. Amazingly, this will be the first fight in his 11-year pro career that is scheduled for over eight rounds.
Berto (28-3, 22 KO) hasn't won a fight since 2011, when he beat Jan Zaveck on HBO. He's lost his last two, as he was downed by Robert Guerrero in 2012 before the fight with Soto Karass.