Andre Berto ready to ace his rematch test against Victor Ortiz
When Andre Berto first met Victor Ortiz in 2011, he was an undefeated champion hoping to rise the pound-for-pound ranks. Ortiz was coming off of a majority draw in his previous bout, and a TKO loss to Marcos Maidana a bit before that.
Ortiz shocked Berto, however — winning a unanimous decision. Since that stunner, Berto has lost half of his last eight bouts. He hasn't faced slouches, of course — losing to the likes of Robert Guerrero and Floyd Mayweather Jr. But the fighter's career has certainly taken a different trajectory since he last met Ortiz.
Next month, Berto gets to right that wrong when the two men rematch April 30 in Carson, California, on a PBC card airing live on FOX and FOX Deportes.
A humbled Berto is confident that things will go differently this time.
"I went to school. I failed the test and now I have the chance to ace it," he said at a recent press conference.
"The fight back in 2011, he got me. He did what he had to do to win. But this time I'm going in extremely focused and ready to take everything that I felt he took from me that night.
"I'm excited about this one. April 30 is going to be a tremendous night. I promise you that."
Berto has no problem giving his opponent his due heading into their main event. "I've got to show Victor some respect because he beat me the first time," he continued.
"I'm big on being respectful. I respect Victor and the history of Mexican fighters, they put their blood, sweat and tears in there."
Berto has shed plenty of blood and sweat himself, of course, and believes he's smarter and more skilled than he was the last time he and Ortiz squared off. Though he's also older now, the 32 year-old promises that his physical attributes are still sharp.
"My power and speed are still there," Berto promised.
"This is what he asked for. So I want to make sure he knows what he's getting himself into. This isn't the same situation as last time. So we'll see it in the ring. Come out on April 30 and see me handle this business."
