Ten months after a classic and spirited slugfest that is a definite “Fight of the Year” candidate, former World Champions “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO’s), of Ventura, Calif. and Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KO’s), of Winter Haven, Fl., will slug it out again on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. live on SHOWTIME.
The eagerly awaited 12-round fight is a rematch of a fiercely contested, multiple-knockdown affair on April 16 that Ortiz won by a unanimous decision (114-112, 114-111 and 115-110) while capturing Berto’s World Boxing Council (WBC) 147-pound title. Both fighters were knocked down twice in the fight, with Berto being dropped in the first, Ortiz going down a round later and each of them hitting the deck in a wild sixth round that many are calling the Round of the Year.
Quotes from Monday’s press conference are below:
“VICIOUS” VICTOR ORTIZ
“My team kind of said it all. I don’t need to say a whole lot. I prepare very well. I know I’m up against a tough opponent. I captured the world championship and went for the best. I’ll leave everything in the ring and bring home the victory once again. I don’t hate anybody. I respect all of them. We’re here to box and fight and make a great show on February 11th. I’m ready.
“I’m being counted out once again. Once again, not the best of the best. Once again, I’m too nice.
You know what, I’ll show you February 11th why Andre Berto belongs where he’s at and why I’ve made him belong there. I don’t need to say anything more than that.”
ANDRE BERTO
“I have put in the time and worked very hard to get to where I am.
“This is a tremendous opportunity. I’m ready to get it on. I’ve had to improve my game. I’ve had a hard, tough training camp and just have to stay focused and get the job done.
“I’m hungrier than ever. I predict a win.”
RICHARD SCHAEFER (CEO of Golden Boy Promotions)
”We are definitely starting out 2012 with a big bang. ‘Ortiz-Berto II’ is boxing at its best and the single biggest fight that can be made outside of Mayweather-Pacquiao.
“We are all very excited. This is the first time a premium channel fight is being supported like a pay-per-view event. SHOWTIME is planning to do a Fight Camp 360.
“Their first fight may be ‘Fight of the Year’ and both guys want to set the record straight. The rematch might be 2012 ‘Fight of the Year.’ Both of these world champions are guaranteed to put on a great show.
The 147-pound division is the one with all the biggest names and we have two of them fighting each other.
“We’re expecting a sellout.“I really want to thank Stephen Espinoza and SHOWTIME for stepping up the way they have. This will be an incredible night of boxing.’’
Photos by Phil McCarten – Hoganphotos
Jonny-boy said everything I was thinking on this fight. Can’t wait to see this one, should be a barn-burner.
I don’t think it was luck, it was the soft competition that Berto was facing up to that point, the only one that gave him hell was Collazo which was really his only fight that deserved a spot on HBO his other opponents were there to make him look good. Insert Victor Ortiz who can match power and speed with Berto then you got his most even fight, most of the previous fighters that Berto faced before then couldn’t match him in either department. This time around I expect to see Berto with an understanding that this is a real challenge and perform better than last time out but I don’t know if it’s enough. If Ortiz comes in with that fire in his eyes he had their first match then Ortiz will win and do it more convincingly. Anything less than that I will favor Berto.
Ortiz got lucky berto wasnt there the first fight. This will set things straight.
Hope Ortiz doesn’t headbutt,kiss, or cry!! Be a good fight again!
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