Berto & Porter Get Knockout Wins

While California may be going through a drought right now there is no drought in SoCal boxing as evidence by the flurry of live fights currently dotting the Southland.

This was clearly evidenced at the smash debut of Spike TV’s “Friday Night Lights Out” series that made its inaugural intro at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. This Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card presented by Goossen Promotions had all the bells and whistles ensuring a KO night for those in the arena and those watching on non-PPV TV. The fact that this innovative new show can be seen on “free” TV is refreshing to boxing fans both old and new. While naysayers claim “boxing is dead,” I gotta say PBC is delivering some life-saving CPR along with shots of adrenaline injected into the heart of boxing!

The March 13 “Lights Out” show featured bouts between Andre “The Beast” Berto and Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez and Shawn “Showtime” Porter taking on late replacement Erick Bone (in place of Roberto Garcia, who was absent from the weigh-in) in the main event and co-main attraction. Local fighters (and victors) Chris Arreola, Gerald Washington, Oscar Molina, Miguel Vazquez were also showcased on this nine bout card.

With temperatures nearing 90 degrees in the Inland Empire, the action remained sizzling in the arena. With spirited fights, a few knockouts and a raucous heavyweight scrap between Arreola and Harper, the crowd was kept on its toes. This “lucky” Friday the 13th card has been a highly-anticipated one since it was first announced. The fact that the sport is offered on non-PPV television, opens it up for mainstream fans to become bigger boxing fans and reinforcing that the sweet science is here to stay.

I’ve been curious about the new PBC series that has taken the boxing world by storm and looked forward to witnessing it firsthand.

With last week’s Vegas show (on NBC) under its belt, Friday’s Spike TV debut was next. And the evening didn’t disappoint those in the packed venue.

What’s so different about these PBC cards that has everyone buzzing?

I couldn’t wait to see for myself live and in person. Plexus slim results.

What stands out–and separates their shows–from the rest of the norm is their unique way of “thinking outside the box.” There are both obvious and subtle nuances that is quickly becoming PBC’s signature in the fight game. While there are no ring card girls (the neon lights in the oversized display show each current round) the spectators witness the dazzling display of strobe lights, custom music and a huge stage platform during the fighter introductions. It’s an assault on the senses that instantly draws you in. You feel part of something different, something unique. The building reverberates with the sights and sounds leading up to the first bell.

And then there’s the action in the ring. Wherever you are sitting, there was a seemingly good vantage point from all angles. You can choose to watch the combatants inside the ropes or watch the oversize screen hanging about the four corners. And in an interesting twist, there are “referee-cams” worn by the officials as well as cameras worn by the trainers in the corner. All of these aspects aimed at the boxing fan make for a very interesting night indeed.

This first-ever “Friday Night Lights Out” had the ticket holders cheering. Glitz and glamour combined with some thrilling boxing. With Las Vegas’ Shawn Porter kicking off the TV broadcast, the welterweight proved “Showtime” is back. Bouncing back from his Kell Brook loss, Porter proved to be too much for the game challenger Erick Bone. But the lanky Bone wouldn’t down without a fight, he was knocked down and finally worn down by the former champ. Berto wins by by knockout at the 2:36 mark in Round 5, earning his 25th victory as a pro and paving the way for future fights against the top competition in his division.

And in the welterweight main event, hometown hero Josesito Lopez had plans of his own victory in his own backyard of Ontario. The Mexican warrior started out of the gate aggressively taking the fight to Berto. With fierce body shots and busy combinations, the fans in the arena continued to chant Jose’s name. Staying compact beneath his high guard, the Haitian fighter got off to a slow start. Finding his timing, Berto began to strengthen his offense aiming his jab at the face of his foe. Pinning Lopez in a corner, Berto’s game plan began to shift. While the crowd continued to roar for Josesito (who was developing some bruising on the right side of his face), the action continued center ring.

Team Lopez’s plans for victory came to a sudden halt in the sixth stanza in the form of Berto’s big right hand. Lopez was rocked by a thunder of punches and went down on his back after the right glove of Berto landed. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. administered the count with the crowd favorite coming to his feet, hands up that he wanted to continue. But in the next couple of seconds, former champion Berto connected with another right fist on the face of his opponent. Without giving Lopez (who came back from the Victor Ortiz fight) a count, Caiz Jr. waved off the bout, dashing the hopes of a “Riverside Rocky” win.

The crowd booed with Josesito looking incredulous that the bout was stopped (prematurely halted say a majority of those watching). Never down for the count long, the proud Riverside gladiator promises to come back stronger than ever.

With this TKO win against Lopez recorded in the books, Winter Haven, Florida’s Andre “The Beast” Berto becomes the new WBA interim welterweight titlist thus opening up the doors back into the elite competition and bigger paydays that come with the territory.

And with this Premier Boxing Champions’ Spike TV in the books, the future looks brighter for boxing fans across the nation.

PHOTOS BY MARLENE MARQUEZ