SKOWHEGAN — Very little changed in Brandon “The Cannon” Berry’s pre-fight routine since the last time he entered the ring nine months ago.

The West Forks native spent the hours before Saturday’s bout talking to fans at the Skowhegan Rec Center. By the time he was done, it seemed as though the 700 or so in the steamy gymnasium had the opportunity to shake his hand.

“A lot of fighters get nervous (before a fight). I used to get very nervous,” Berry said. “I think since the fan base has grown in this area — I’m very fortunate to have the support that we have — and I think I can feed off, you know, just making sure everyone’s in the right seats and happy and if I can do anything for them. It takes my mind off anything that maybe would get me nervous.”

The six-round fight against Engleberto Valenzuela of Mexico was Berry’s first since he tore his labrum in his left shoulder in a Nov. 15 bout against Freddy Sanchez in Portland, which turned out to be his first loss.

Berry, who had surgery to repair the torn labrum on Jan. 15, appeared in the ring before the night’s other pro bout featuring Jason Quirk vs. Michael Rodriguez and thanked the crowd and his opponent for coming to Skowhegan.

Moments earlier, in a nearby workout room as he was getting his hands taped by cut man Mel Peabody while glove inspector Cleo Supernant observed. Berry said he had a positive mindset going into his return.

Berry, 27, said the injury was more challenging physically to come back from than mentally “because I gained some weight I shouldn’t have.” But the time off gave him a new outlook on his career.

“One thing I noticed is nothing else stops around you,” he said. “The boxing world stopped for me, but guess what, the world kept going. That made me realize, I don’t have a whole lot of time in this game. So while it’s here, I’d better have some fun.”

“I’ve got a lot to prove to a lot of people, but I don’t have anything to prove to myself,” he said as he was getting his hands taped prior to the bout. “I know that I did everything the doctors told me to do. Just having these types of guys around me and my coach (Ken “Skeet” Wyman), I know I’m in good hands. Whatever happens tonight, I know I’m ready.”

Randy Whitehouse — 621-5638

[email protected]

Twitter: @RAWmaterial33