West Forks native Brandon Berry will headline a five-bout card on Saturday at the Skowhegan Community Center. Berry will take on Argentina fighter Pablo Ernesto Oliveto Photo provided by Emily Harney/Fightography
Brandon Berry is unsure of how many fights he has left in his career. This Saturday could be his last. Or, it could be the catalyst to one last, great run in a long and successful career.
Berry, a West Forks native, will take on Argentina fighter Pablo Ernesto Oliveto to headline a show Saturday night at the Skowhegan Community Center. The five-bout card begins at 7 p.m.
“(Oliveto) has had some success early in his career, I think it’s a very good matchup,” Berry said. “I’ve watched some tape on him. He goes to the body very well. I feel like I go to the body very good. It’s a good matchup.”
As Berry wrapped up training on Tuesday night, he was aware that he is closing in on the back end of his career. Nearing 36, Berry has sustained a long career in the amateur and professional ranks, with 34 professional bouts dating to 2013. With a record of 25-7-2 — 18 wins via knockout — Berry has more than held up his end in a boxing ring.
“There’s a pile of answers (of why I keep going),” Berry said. “There’s the community. The community being behind me is a very special feeling, and it’s addicting. I absolutely love to be able to put on events close to home and feel the love from so many people… I think I’m proud of my longevity, that’s something that I am proud of. I don’t think there’s any active boxer in the state of Maine that has been doing this for 20 years like I have. The fact that the only other fighter with as many fights, from Maine, that I can think of, would be Joey Gamache, and that’s something that I’m proud of.
“I know fighters don’t age gracefully,” Berry continued. “This is a young man’s game. I’m not going to say I’m on (borrowed) time, but I think my window is closing. But I’m still having fun.”
Physically, Berry said he’s feeling great. Though coming off a loss by decision to Brandon Higgins in April, Berry went 10 rounds with the 29-year old fighter out of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He’s gone 10 rounds twice in the past two years, also reaching the mark in a fight against Travis Castellon for the North American Boxing Association’s USA welterweight title in 2021. Berry is 12-2-0 dating to 2019, his only losses coming at the hands of Higgins and Castellon. Berry’s goal remains to be on bigger fight cards, and he said offers continue to roll in.
“I feel great,” Berry said. “I still have hopes for a big call that makes sense (to do). I get big offers (for fights) that don’t make sense, but I can’t wait for that phone call comes in, where it’s a big offer that does make sense, because I’ll jump on it. I still wholeheartedly believe that my phone will ring one of these days, where I’m going to say yes, and finally, the kid from West Forks is going to fight on a big stage. That’s my goal, and that’s always been my goal.
“I’m not retired yet,” Berry continued. “That could change after this fight. I know anything can happen. You look at life differently in your 30s than in your 20s. I know this is a sport, and I know there’s so much to life after boxing. But I know right now, boxing is a big part of my life, and I’m very, very fortunate to have the support system that allows me to do it at this age.”
At the same time, Berry has continued to wear the hat of local fight promotor. He’s excited for Saturday’s card, which will also feature his older brother, Gordon Berry, in his second professional fight. With a 1-0 record, Gordon Berry, 41, will take on Kyle Massoth, a fighter out of Troy, New York.
“He was the original fighter of the family,” Brandon Berry said. “He was an amateur boxer. I started in amateur boxing because, like any other little brother, I wanted to be like my big brother… I am just really, really happy to be able to promote shows where he can actually fight again, because it had been so long (before his first pro fight), and he took interest in it again. I think he’s always had the natural speed that I wish I had. He’s a lot quicker than I am. He’s just a smoother boxer, he can really move around well.”
Saturday will also be the professional fight debut of Vasselboro’s Morgan Berard, who will take on Celiel Castillo Pimentel of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“That’s a big deal to be able to (make your debut) close to home, a lot guys don’t get to do that. I’m excited for him,” Berry said.
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