Brandon Berry could reach two different milestones this weekend.
The West Forks boxer is headlining a card Saturday at the Skowhegan Community Center and will fight for the vacant World Professional Boxing Federation Intercontinental Welterweight title. It’s the 10th title fight in Berry’s pro career, which dates to 2013. If he wins, it would also be the 30th victory of his career. Berry is 29-7-2, including 20 by knockout.
“(The milestones) mean so much to me,” said Berry, who turns 37 on Saturday. “People always ask me, ‘How much longer are you going to stay with it?’ When I was younger, I used to say, ‘Oh, (I’ll stop) after I get 30 wins.’ I never thought about it, it just sounded good (at the time). It’s my 39th professional fight, this is my 11th year (as a pro), and I’m just having so much fun. I feel so fortunate that we’re still here.
“There isn’t many guys in Maine who have ever (reached 30 pro wins),” Berry continued. “That’s what probably means the most to me right now, the 30 wins.”
The card, scheduled for 7 p.m., is sanctioned by the WPBF. A representative will be on hand to award the vacant title to the winner. Berry will fight Edaurdo Reis, a veteran boxer out of Brazil, who is 24-12-0, with 19 knockouts. The bout is scheduled for eight rounds.
“He has the same type of experience. He’s obviously been in a lot of fights,” Berry said. “He has a huge knockout percentage. If you make any type of mistake, he’s the kind of guy that will make you pay for it. I don’t want to find myself in a situation where I’m (in trouble), I’m hurt and I’m getting knocked out. We’ve got to be real careful.”
Berry has won his last four consecutive fights. His latest was a six-round unanimous decision over Aelio Mesquita on June 15 at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. He is 12-2-0 dating to 2020, with his most recent loss coming at the hands of Massachusetts fighter Brandon Higgins last April at the Castleton Banquet and Conference Center in Windham, New Hampshire.
Local fighters also dot the undercard. Morgan Berard, of Vasselboro, will aim to win his second straight pro fight in a rematch against Puerto Rican fighter Celiel Castillo Pimentel in a lightweight bout. Berard, 28, beat Pimentel by majority decision in his pro debut last year in Skowhegan.
Steven Kirkwood, of Norridgewock, makes his professional debut against Brazilian boxer Erick Matheus Alves.
“I’m so excited (for Kirkwood),” Berry said. “When you turn pro, especially when it’s in your hometown, that’s something that lots of star athletes don’t get to do. It’s going to be a very fun night for him.”
Skowhegan’s Zenon Herrera, 42, who has a background in both boxing and mixed martial arts, will fight New York native Robert Bricks.
“I’m really excited about getting the local guys (on the card),” Berry said. “It’s not every day the local guys get to fight in Skowhegan.”
