Berto Has The Looks Of a Superstar
IS THIS A FIGHT OR A ROUT ABOUT TO HAPPEN?
Los Angeles, CA– Is Andre Berto the future of the sport of boxing or does his undefeated run come to an end tonight when he faces formerly celebrated prospect “Vicious Victor” Ortiz? Titleholder Berto, 27-0, 21 KOs, will be making his fifth defense of the WBC welterweight (147 lbs)(paper title on HBO Championship Boxing. Andre has been rightfully criticized for a padded resume which includes a KO 1 over the unheralded Freddy Hernandez (29-2, 20 KOs) in his last outing.
ANDRE HAS NO FANS BASE EXCEPT THE HBO SUITS
The Floridian of Hatian heritage draws less flys than fresh horse manure, and yet he has earned six to seven figures in recent bouts. In his defense, Andre can only beat the fighters put in front of him, and as of late has been a tad impressive. Attributes such as lighting fast hands, athletic talent and crushing power are what the HBO suits have been raving about. Question in my mind is, is it there? Now he must prove his mental fortitude against the somewhat inconsistent 28-2-2, 22 KOs Ortiz, whose heart has been called into question.
Ortiz After Being Halted By Marcos Maidana
IF VICTOR LOSES IS HE TOAST? IBERTO FAILS, WILL HBO STILL SHOW LOVE?
his is a crossroads matchup between two 27 year-olds, near or at their prime. Both pack wallops in their fists, but Ortiz has fought as a jr. welter (140) while Berto struggles to make the welterweight limit of 147. Style wise, the fight doesn’t look like it’s going the distance, and the southpaw stance of Ortiz should be of little consequence to Berto’s as three of his last five opponnents have been of that ilk. In his last two bouts, both stoppages against the aforementioned Hernandez and former (see faded) WBO welterweight titleholder Carlos Quintana (28-3, 22 KOs) via TKO 8.
VICTOR’S STOCK VALUE NEAR THE BOTTOM?
Ortiz on the other hand has been uninspiring of late. Fighting out of Oxnard CA, by way of Kansas, Ortiz settled for a draw his last time out against 140 lb. contender Lamont Peterson (28-1-1, 14 KOs), this preceded a TKO 3 over the ghost of former 140 lb. belt bearer Vivian Harris (29-6-1, 19 KOs). On paper, these are not the type of foes that will prepare you for the speed and explosiveness of Berto.
WILL BERTO BRING IT OR WAIT FOR IT?
Does Berto go right at the tentative Ortiz and try to blast him out early, or will he respect the physically smaller jr. welter? Formerly “Vicious,” Ortiz is usually dangerous in the early going but his bulb begins to flicker as the rounds go on. Oh, and Victor has never went 12 fistic frames. Berto seems to the advantage in speed, size and power, while the once sizzling Ortiz will be appearing for the first time at 147. Victor can make a fight of it, but his fragile chin will be tested, and based on history Andre takes the better shot.
IF ODDSMAKERS ARE RIGHT, ANDRE SMOKES VICTOR
Should Berto win the fight inside the distance, would it bolster his mark as a champ fans will want to watch for in the near future>? Will a career defining performance get him a mega match with either Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao? There’s a lot at stake for both men, but this looks like it’s Berto’s fight to lose.
Kevin “KP” Perry