Countdown to Ortiz-Berto II..Who Do You Like in the Rematch? |
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Monday, 19 December 2011 18:10
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CANDIDATES SET AS "VICIOUS" VICTOR ORTIZ AND ANDRE BERTO PREPARE TO FACE OFF ON FEBRUARY 11 AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS
SHOWTIME® & CBS Join Forces with Golden Boy Promotions & DiBella Entertainment to Promote Event
SHOWTIME to Televise Live on Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on West Coast) LOS ANGELES (December 19, 2011) - In April 2011, Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto gave boxing fans one of the best fights of the year, with both men hitting the canvas twice before Ortiz rallied to victory and captured Berto's WBC Welterweight World Championship. On Saturday, February 11, these rugged and determined fighters will meet once again, this time at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., in a highly anticipated 12-round welterweight rematch live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). "Ortiz vs. Berto II: Repeat or Revenge" is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and SHOWTIME. Coming off of its groundbreaking promotion during the blockbuster SHOWTIME PPV® event featuring Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley in May 2011, SHOWTIME will again receive promotional support from the network's parent company, CBS Corporation, whose assets include the CBS Television Network and local radio and television stations, among others. The Ortiz-Berto rematch marks the first time that SHOWTIME and CBS will join forces in support of a boxing event televised live on the premium network. Both fighters have agreed to be subject to Olympic style drug testing which will be administered by the Volunteer Anti-Doping Association (VADA) and will include random blood and urine tests. "For me, the first Berto-Ortiz fight was the 2011 Fight of the Year and one of the most memorable fights of the last several years," said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. "Immediately after, like most every other boxing fan, I couldn't help but hope for a rematch. Now that I am in the position to bring this fight to the loyal SHOWTIME subscribers, and to do so with the support of our world-class colleagues at CBS, I couldn't be more proud to make this special announcement." "I'm prepared to go to war again with Berto," said Ortiz. Berto said, "I am looking forward to this fight. It's a fight that I want and it's a fight the people demanded. These are the types of fights that make boxing so great. I am so hyped and excited to get ready to make another classic, but bottom line...Ortiz has to GO!" Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, said, "After the April fight between Ortiz and Berto, the first words out of everyone's mouths were, 'When are they going to do it again?' Well, I'm proud to say that February 11th is the date for the most anticipated rematch we've seen in a long time. When you put these two fighters together in the ring, there will always be fireworks. I can't wait to see them do battle a second time." Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment, said, "Berto-Ortiz I was a 'Fight of the Year' candidate and boxing fans can expect more of the same in this meaningful rematch. This fight is the perfect way to open up what is expected to be a great year of boxing in 2012." Tickets, priced at $300, $150, $100 and $50, are now on sale and are available at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Everyone anticipated an action-packed fight the first time that Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto stepped into the ring back on April 16 with the WBC Welterweight World Championship on the line. What ensued was nothing less than spectacular as the pair stormed out of the gate, setting a fast pace that would continue for the entire 12-round contest. Midway through the first round, Ortiz staggered Berto with a sneaky right hand, then backed him into a corner and followed up with a barrage of punches which forced the defending champion to take a knee in order to recover. Berto wasted little time returning the favor, sending Ortiz to the canvas with a counter right hand at the end of the second round. The exciting battle continued round after round, and in the sixth frame, Berto landed a right hand that dropped Ortiz. As soon as the action resumed, Berto was all over Ortiz, looking to close the show. With Ortiz trapped against the ropes and Berto throwing caution to the wind, Ortiz threw a left hook that caught Berto flush on the chin, dropping him for the second time in the fight just seconds before the bell. The back-and-forth action continued for the second half of the "Fight of the Year" candidate. In the end, Ortiz had captured the title with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory, winning by scores of 115-110, 114-111 and 114-112. The star of Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) has been on the rise for the last few years, but in 2011, the native of Garden City, Kansas finally put everything together for the entire world to see. The owner of wins over Mike Arnaoutis, Nate Campbell and Antonio Diaz, Ortiz stepped it up in April 2011 with a 12-round decision win over Berto that captivated the boxing world and earned him the WBC Welterweight Championship. Five months later, Ortiz lost a controversial bout to pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, but with his rematch against Berto looming, the 24-year old now has the perfect opportunity to get back to the top of the division. A member of the 2004 Haitian Olympic team, Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KOs), like Ortiz, has been leading the charge of boxing's next generation, thrilling fans with exciting fights and blistering knockouts. Crowned a world champion in 2008, the 28-year-old Berto successfully defended his WBC crown five times against the likes of Luis Collazo, Steve Forbes and Juan Urango before losing it to Ortiz in April. In September, Berto put gold around his waist once again by stopping Jan Zaveck in five rounds for the IBF title. He would soon vacate the title in order to take the fight he has been clamoring for since April and now he's looking forward to evening the score with Ortiz on February 11. amayseng says: i agree with radam, DaveB says: Berto has amazing hand speed and a good pop in his punches but he needs to work on his balance and technique. Unless he knows something or I'm missing something he will probably lose again. It will be an exciting affair once again but I don't see how this will further his career. Maybe this is where both guys hit the wall and level off as far as getting better is concerned. Still I look forward to it. Sometime competitive fights are better than watching the best against over matched opponents unless those fights are tune ups for bigger matches. In that case the end overrides the means. Usually it is just a mismatched fight. This one should be competitive as long as it lasts. brownsugar says: Nice summary DaveB. I see this fight as a must for Berto. If he didn't show the desire to revenge his first loss after being partially protected for the last 4 or 5 years while pocketing a premium salary.... he knows he'd never gain the respect of the masses or be considered in the PacMan sweepstakes. A win here could help legitamize Berto and propell him into the types of fights that will help advance more interest in the sport. With Amir Khan and Kell Brook on the Brittish Horizon and Hometowners Mike Jones , Devon Alexander, and the frequently seen perennial P4P tourist from the PI Manny Pac awaiting good challengers for good paydays, Berto can get in line and thump his chest in a big way if he beats Ortiz convincinly. (if not then we have the rubber match) "B" says: Now to add a little objectivity to the comment section lol. Berto and Ortis are both extremely talented. But lets be real. Victor fought extemely hard when they first fought and he had a big win and deserves all the credit for beating Andre. But everyone acts as if there first fight was dominated by Victor or something. Whether you like Berto or not please try to put that aside when evaluating him. There is no way you guys can say with a straight face that Berto wasnt at the least a little sluggish that night. And on the other hand Victor had the fight of his life ( I am also on record saying I think how muscular and intense Ortiz was was a little suspect). Bottom line...it took the fight of his life and surviving getting really hurt multiple times to get a victory against a sluggish Berto. I think that loss will propel Andre. He will not be off his game in the rematch. Andre Berto stretches Victor between the 6-9 round .....compliments of an uppercut or right hand straight down the pike.......trust brownsugar says: Look who dropped in,.. is Christmas coming early this year?? LOL.. Well Keep on comin back Fe'Roz,.. you're just in time for the Winter Semester of the TSS... and we're taking applications. No tuition required,.. except your timely comments. michaelabii says: Ortiz wins again. My reasoning is this: Ortiz has improved somewhat and honestly prior to the round in which he was "knocked out" by Floyd he was holding his own to a certain degree although he was eating occasional flush right hands. Berto has not improved judging from his last fight. Still too easy to hit with no real defense. He squares up in front of his opponents and retreats to the ropes much like Amir Khan. If youre not a prime Muhammad Ali doing the rope a dope that will not work. Yes he has speed and some pop but if Ortiz fights him the way he did last time I see a much earlier stoppage. Stamina wise Berto will be Berto. he is built for sprints and not long distance marathons. Victor Contee might make hime more explosive which he already is but stamina is something youre blessed with. I also think Ortiz has the psychological edge here having beaten Berto in a war. Should be a great fight though and on showtime ?? Whats going on with HBO ? michaelabii says: Ortiz wins again. My reasoning is this: Ortiz has improved somewhat and honestly prior to the round in which he was "knocked out" by Floyd he was holding his own to a certain degree although he was eating occasional flush right hands. Berto has not improved judging from his last fight. Still too easy to hit with no real defense. He squares up in front of his opponents and retreats to the ropes much like Amir Khan. If youre not a prime Muhammad Ali doing the rope a dope that will not work. Yes he has speed and some pop but if Ortiz fights him the way he did last time I see a much earlier stoppage. Stamina wise Berto will be Berto. he is built for sprints and not long distance marathons. Victor Contee might make hime more explosive which he already is but stamina is something youre blessed with. I also think Ortiz has the psychological edge here having beaten Berto in a war. Should be a great fight though and on showtime ?? Whats going on with HBO ? michaelabii says: Ortiz wins again. My reasoning is this: Ortiz has improved somewhat and honestly prior to the round in which he was "knocked out" by Floyd he was holding his own to a certain degree although he was eating occasional flush right hands. Berto has not improved judging from his last fight. Still too easy to hit with no real defense. He squares up in front of his opponents and retreats to the ropes much like Amir Khan. If youre not a prime Muhammad Ali doing the rope a dope that will not work. Yes he has speed and some pop but if Ortiz fights him the way he did last time I see a much earlier stoppage. Stamina wise Berto will be Berto. he is built for sprints and not long distance marathons. Victor Contee might make hime more explosive which he already is but stamina is something youre blessed with. I also think Ortiz has the psychological edge here having beaten Berto in a war. Should be a great fight though and on showtime ?? Whats going on with HBO ? michaelabii says: Ortiz wins again. My reasoning is this: Ortiz has improved somewhat and honestly prior to the round in which he was "knocked out" by Floyd he was holding his own to a certain degree although he was eating occasional flush right hands. Berto has not improved judging from his last fight. Still too easy to hit with no real defense. He squares up in front of his opponents and retreats to the ropes much like Amir Khan. If youre not a prime Muhammad Ali doing the rope a dope that will not work. Yes he has speed and some pop but if Ortiz fights him the way he did last time I see a much earlier stoppage. Stamina wise Berto will be Berto. he is built for sprints and not long distance marathons. Victor Contee might make hime more explosive which he already is but stamina is something youre blessed with. I also think Ortiz has the psychological edge here having beaten Berto in a war. Should be a great fight though and on showtime ?? Whats going on with HBO ? michaelabii says: Sorry for the multiple posts guys !! I had problems logging in and submitting posts this morning. Radam G says: @Dave G -- I mean B! Berto has what we in da game call amazing "flash-in-da-pant -speed." Also known as an illusion of speed. In other words, Berto pushes, rushes and exaggerates his movements of hands. True speed has a nature flow and go. Dude is not fluid. Instead of letting speed work, he forces stagnation pressure that looks speedy when it is nothing but quickee flash -- not dash, mash and crash -- movement. amayseng says: radam, that is the perfect explanation of bertos speed as i have ever read... dino da vinci says: We missed you Fe'Roz. Welcome home. The other way of doing it lent itself to a different group of problems. Hopefully, in time, this format grows on you enough to recognize it for what it is: moderately serviceable. Always looked forward to your insights. Again, welcome back. Guys, someone please pour some egg-nog for a toast to a past Poster of the Year, the Fe'Rocious One. DaveB says: @Radam B I mean G, I'll watch for that. You were the first one to "spit" about how hyped Paul Williams was when he was the most feared fighter alive or how ever they put it and you were right. So who am I to question Radam B I mean G? Radam G says: Nice come back G -- I mean B! Holla! gibola says: Ortiz to do the job again, probably stopping Berto this time. Berto is an entertaining fighter and a must-see guy who is a credit to the game, however he has always been vulnerable to guys who can punch or box well. Ortiz punches well enough to have his number every time, but it will be another great fight and Berto will get knocked out this time in ten rounds. Tags:
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REMATCH OF ONE OF 2011'S FIGHT OF THE YEAR
Berto is still a non-improving hype. If the vicious one doesn't butt and kiss and is in top shape -- mentally and physically-- he should whup dat arse again. Holla!