StubHub Center, Carson, CA, April 30
TV: Fox
By Peter Lim
Both Ortiz and Berto hit rough patches since their action-packed encounter in 2011 and enter the rematch more diminished than they were the in their first fight. Ortiz is 2-3 and Berto is 3-3 since they last fought. Stakes are high in this bout, with the winner regaining some relevance on the world stage while the loser is relegated to the status of name opponent.
The winner of the rematch ultimately boils down to the less damaged of the two, and that will be Berto (30-4, 23 KOs). Following his victory over Berto the five years ago, Ortiz (31-5-2, 24 KOs) suffered three consecutive knockout losses and a broken jaw. Berto's only knockout loss was more the result of a shoulder injury rather than a lack of punch resistance.
The fight will be competitive until Berto lands his first clean shot, after which Ortiz begins to unravel. Wary of Ortiz's formidable power, Berto resists the temptation to attack with reckless abandon. He calculatingly bides his time with precision counters before stopping Ortiz in the seventh round.
Afterthoughts:
Ortiz doesn't have the hunger, not to mention the chin, to compete on the world stage anymore.
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