Confident Andre Berto Set to Defend Title Against Victor Ortiz in “East-West Showdown”

Added on Apr 11, 2011 by Brian Blake in

Boxing

WBC Welterweight Champion Andre Berto is just days away from his upcoming title defense against “Vicious” Victor Ortiz at the new MGM Grand Theater in the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, CT. The twelve round championship bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing. Berto, who fights out of Winter Haven, FL took some time out of his training camp to comment on his upcoming showdown and appears to be riding a wave of confidence heading into the bout.

“This training camp has to be one of my best thus far, simply because I have been staying in shape during my off time with my strength-and-conditioning coach, Cleveland Berto. So, when training camp came around, I got in rhythm within the second week. As the weeks go on, I’m feeling stronger, faster and more conditioned. I am ready to get in the ring.”

The last time Berto was in the ring was a few days after Thanksgiving last year when he needed just over two minutes to dispose of challenger Freddy Hernandez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The last time he got some quality rounds in was his previous bout in which former title holder Carlos Quintana lasted eight rounds before falling victim to the 2004 Haitian Olympian in a bout that took place in his homestate of Florida.

“It feels good to be back on the East Coast, closer to where it all started for me. It’s a new venue so this gives two great fighters the opportunity to put it on the map because this fight will be a good one. People will remember who and where it was fought.”

His opponent, Victor Ortiz of Oxnard, is coming off of a ten round majority draw against Lamont Peterson at the Mandalay Bay Events Center late last year. Prior to that the heavy handed southpaw had been riding a four fight win streak dating back to December of 2009.

With the work he’s put in Berto appears confident that he’ll be able to keep Ortiz from getting back into the win column.

“I work harder and harder as fight night gets closer. We do two-a-days, swim three times a week, run and go to the boxing gym every day.

“I always work hard in training camp. He’s a southpaw with power, so we have to prepare and tweak a couple of things to get ready for the fight,” he added.

To say that Ortiz has power is certainly an accurate statement with 22 of his 28 victories coming by way of knockout. Then again, Berto himself is no stranger to bringing an early end to the night as the undefeated champion has knocked out all but six of his opponents.

With the blazing hand speed of Berto and the raw power of Ortiz, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone if this one ends early. The only real question is who will have their hand raised with the WBC strap around their waist when it’s all said and done.

“I need to do what I’ve been doing: stay sharp, smart and, of course, be the last man standing.”