April 16, 2011 boxing showcased two of its brightest stars, Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz, in what became one of the most exciting championship fights in recent memory, quite simply this was war. Two guys throwing caution to the wind in an all-out brawl fought the fight of their lives striving for boxing greatness and respect with intense action and unforgettable determination.
Arguably the toughest weight class in the sport, helmed by Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., these talented boxers faced-off at the welterweight limit of 147 lbs for the World Boxing Council Championship. This was a fight where both men fought valiantly and at times brilliantly, energized to a level of ferocity and aggression neither man had shown before.
Andre Berto, who had successfully defended his title 5 times, held an unbeaten record of 27 wins, 22 by KO, is a fast, physically strong fighter from Haiti that possesses explosive punching power. He faced equally hard punching “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, the southpaw from Oxnard, California, with a 28 and 1 record, in what would be his first fight at 147 lbs. Berto was widely viewed as the technically superior boxer of the two while Victor was seen as the more physically imposing.
From the opening bell of the first round Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto delivered fast, crisp, forceful blows with lethal intent. It was clear early on that each man wanted their pound of flesh from the other man and were determined to get it no matter what. Ortiz, pushing Andre back to the ropes, landed chopping left hands early in the round staggering Berto. Andre would hit the canvass twice in the first round, the first being ruled a slip by the referee, and the second would the first of four official knockdowns that would take place throughout the fight.
Round two would see Berto re-engage Ortiz undaunted and score his own knockdown. Victor unfazed by the previous knockdown roared back in round 3, seeming like a man possessed who was not to be denied, exacting retribution by keeping Berto on the defensive. There would be perceptible changes in the ebb and flow of the fight over the next several rounds culminating in dual knockdowns in the 6th round for each fighter from very hard concussive punches. Both would rise up to resume an amazing display of heart, stamina, and courage with either man conceding or giving ground.
The fight would rage on for the full 12 rounds with tension filled moments for both combatants in a slugfest brimming with exquisite violence. The challenger would receive a well-deserved and unanimous decision upset win lifting the title from the champion and handing the unbeaten Andre Berto his first professional loss.
Every great story deserves a sequel and this was no exception. This night was one of boxing best moments for this modern era’s elite. So much so that the rematch has already been set and all of boxing eagerly awaits the sequel to see if it produces the same level of commitment to match the savage beauty of the original.