DiBella Entertainment in association with SES Boxing presented, Battle in Biloxi: Zaveck vs. Berto, which featured former WBC Welterweight Champion taking on IBF Champion, Jan Zaveck in the main event bout of the
evening on HBO’s Boxing After Dark at the Beau Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
With both fighters having something to prove; Berto coming off the first loss of his professional career and Zaveck fighting for the first time in the U.S. and on first time on HBO; the two wasted little time in getting the action started, each coming out fast in the first and showing their willingness to exchange.
The action in the first was just a preview of what was to come as each round saw both fighters exchanged furious combinations. Both fighters took their turns pressing forward and fighting on the inside, with Berto looking to use a heavy body attack to open up Zaveck’s peek-a-boo defense.
In the fifth, some swelling developed under Berto’s eye, while Zaveck’s face becam a complete mess, with nasty cuts and heavy swelling developing on both eyes. Between rounds, Zaveck’s corner, realizing that Zaveck was unable to see, called a halt to the contest.
It was a very impressive showing for Berto, who improved to 28-1, 21KO’s, picking up the IBF Welterweight Crown, while Zaveck, who showed he is a true force in the welterweight division, record falls to 30-2, 18KO’s.
In the main supporting bout of the evening, 2008 U.S. Olympian, Gary Russell Jr. stayed perfect, improving to 18-0, 10KO’s with a dominate eight round decision over Mexico’s Leonilo Miranda. Russell’s hand speed and combination punching were too much for Miranda, as he won by scores of 80-72, 80-72, 79-72 on all three judge’s scorecards.