Andre Berto gives back

It’s refreshing to see professional athletes donate time and money to when they don’t have to.

Andre Berto took time out of his busy fight week schedule to visit with a group of 40 children, coaches and parents from the Champions of Life Program in Middletown, Connecticut on Thursday.

The WBC welterweight champ, who will take on Victor Ortiz in a 12-round bout on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Foxwoods, presented them with t-shirts and tickets to the fight. Berto’s promoter Lou DiBella, as well as Ortiz, joined the effort, donating tickets to 30 students from Rice High School in Harlem.

Helping people in need is nothing new for Berto, who has been active in the effort to help his native country, Haiti, recover from the earthquake. Berto lost a number of relatives during the tragic event that rocked the nation last year.

“There is never a wrong time to give back and show support for adolescents who need it, even during fight week,” Berto said. “The kids I met today want to be world champions, and I look forward to giving a championship effort and hopefully providing them inspiration to attain their dreams.”

Referee Johnny Callas, who coaches the members of the Champions of Life program and its parent program, the Charter Oak Boxing Academy, saw the glean in his pupil’s faces as they received their gifts, posed for pictures, and formed a line for autographs with the champ.

“It’s very rare that a professional boxing promoter and champion of Lou DiBella and Andre Berto’s stature take a personal interest in the welfare of kids," Callas said. "Just like the last time they came to the area, DiBella Entertainment has supported Charter Oak Boxing Academy’s Champions of Life Boxing Program for disadvantaged urban youth and we can’t thank them enough.”

For more information on the Champions of Life boxing program, please visit: http://thelionsdenct.com/index.php/champions-of-life/