Fight fans who saw the first, 2011 encounter between welterweights Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto remember fondly the four-knockdown battle won on points by Ortiz – so much so that everyone involved in putting together the rematch of April 30th is hoping these same fans will pay to see the sequel. Neither Ortiz, 31-5-2(24) nor Berto, 30-4(23) are the fighters they once were and both have suffered injuries and bad defeats since they went to war five years ago. Still, the two 147-pounders are doing their utmost to talk up the rematch.
Ortiz, who has gone down a bumpier road than Berto, what with his quick stoppage loss to Luis Collazo and his broken jaw defeat to common opponent Josesito Lopez, told ESPN.com that he will get the stoppage win on April 30th.
“Berto blames me for his downward spiral. He thinks he has a chance this time. Always a good dream to have. I’m not going the distance this time. I’m going in 100 miles per hour, full throttle,” Ortiz said.
Berto? He has shown more respect, but he too is sure he will win the return meeting.
“He said it wouldn’t go the distance last time, but I still did and I wasn’t training to my full capabilities,” Berto said. “My power and speed are still there. I’m glad this fight came about because it’s going to be a great night for the fans.”
It may well be a great fight and a great night. As is sometimes the case in boxing, when two faded but still proud and motivated fighters meet each other at just the right time, the result is an entertaining battle. Perhaps due to being unable to avoid punches they would have done in their peak years, perhaps because of a genuine dislike or the ability to simply bring out the best in each other, two veterans against one another can produce a great fight (see Ali-Frazier III and Leonard-Hearns II).
Berto’s last ring appearance saw him lose widely on points to superstar Floyd Mayweather, while Ortiz, in his last meaningful fight, was seen being stopped in just two rounds by Collazo. Going by this recent form, Berto appears to have more left in the tank. Still, perhaps southpaw Ortiz, the younger man, has one more big effort left in him. It could come at Berto’s expense. If this is the case, and the two do get down to some serious trading – of punches and of knockdowns – the fans will go home happy.
It’s unclear where the April 30th winner will go, though. Unless it’s Berto in a memorable battle; then we could go to the rubber-match.