Andre Berto vs Victor Ortiz Preview April 30th
Andre Berto will be squaring off against fellow American Victor Ortiz this Saturday, April 30th at the StubHub Center in Carson, California in a long awaited rematch of their 2011 classic. The 12-round welterweight bout is a part of the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and can be seen live across North America on the Fox and Fox Deportes networks. Berto’s last bout was a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September in what was supposedly Mayweather’s swansong while Ortiz last fought in December and stopped Gilberto Sanchez Leon in the eighth round.
Berto vs Ortiz Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Victor Ortiz +115
- Andre Berto -135
My Pick
The 32-year-old Berto of Winterhaven, Florida climbs into the ring with a 30-4 record along with 23 Kos. He’s gone 4-4 in his last eight outings and has suffered from shoulder problems in the past few years. Berto hasn’t been the same boxer as he was a few years ago, but he’s still dangerous due to his desire, vicious attacks and fine jab. Actually, the key to his attack is the jab and he’s not nearly as effective when he doesn’t throw it out on a consistent basis. However, Berto isn’t the greatest defensive boxer out there and his chin is questionable at this point of his career.
The 29-year-old Ortiz of Garden City, Kansas is a southpaw who enters the bout with a record of 31-5-2 along with 24 Kos and he’s also gone 4-4 in his last eight contests. Ortiz has been a bit of an enigma with wins against Emmanuel Clottey, Mike Arnaoutis, Antonio Diaz, Nate Campbell and Vivian Harris, but he’s been stopped by Floyd Mayweather, Josesito Lopez, Marcos Maidana, and Luis Collazo and dropped a six-round disqualification to Corey Alarcon. He’s also fought draws with Marvin Cordova Jr. and Lamont Peterson.
Ortiz’s heart has sometimes been questioned and his chin definitely isn’t his strong point since he’s been stopped four times in his five losses. When Ortiz is determined and focused though he’s a handful for any opponent and Berto found this out in their first slugfest in 2011 which Ortiz took by unanimous decision. Both boxers were decked twice each in that contest and it was one of the best fights of 2011. Fans are hoping to see more of the same thing this weekend and they could get it.
Looking at the tale of the tape, Berto is just over 5-foot-6-inches tall and has a wingspan of 68.5 inches. He turned pro in 2004 and has gone 201 rounds since then with a current knockout ratio of 68 per cent. Ortiz also turned pro in 2004 and has 171 rounds under his belt. He’s 5-feet-9-inches tall and has a wingspan of 70 inches to give him both a height and reach advantage. Ortiz’s knockout ratio is currently 63 percent. Berto is a former IBF and WBC World Welterweight Champion and it appears he hit his peak a few years ago when he beat the likes of Luis Collazo, Juan Urango, David Estrada, Josesito Lopez, Steve Forbes, and Carlos Quintana.
Berto might still have enough left in the tank to be a legitimate contender though and could possibly work his way to another title shot in the next year or two. He’s been set back by injuries over the past couple of years and is eager to get back into the spotlight. He’s undergone shoulder surgery and appeared to be in good shape when he stopped Josesito Lopez in the sixth last year. Berto lost his title to Ortiz in t heir first meeting and he’s also been beaten by Mayweather, Jesus Soto Karass and Robert Guerrero with Karass being the only man to stop him.
Prediction……
Both Berto and Ortiz aren’t too hard to find in the ring and they should both be motivated for this rematch. Ortiz should be more confident due to his win in the first fight while Berto will be determined to avenge the loss. Berto may arguably have the better chin, but both of these boxers could hit the canvas Saturday night. Oddly enough, both of their careers went downhill after their 2011 meeting and that makes this a hard bout to predict. It should be action packed with both fighters having their ups and downs in it, but let’s go with Berto to even up the series.
This fight can go either way,and it’s seen in the betting odds.
Play: Berto -135 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Andre Berto betting • Victor Ortiz betting