BERTO: “This Fight Is Exactly What Boxing Needs Right Now”

NEW YORK, NY (Mar. 16, 2011) – Styles make fights, and the compelling April 16 showdown between the lightning-quick World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Welterweight World Champion and undefeated star Andre Berto from Winter Haven, Florida, and powerful, WBC # 5 rated challenger “Vicious” Victor Ortiz of Ventura, Calif., will add up to non-stop action when they square-off in an “East-West Showdown” from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut on April 16.

“East-West Showdown: Berto vs. Ortiz” is presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with Golden Boy Promotions.  The bout will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing starting at 9:45 PM/ET 6:45 PM/PT.  The broadcast kicks off with Amir “King” Khan (24-1, 17 KOs) defending his WBA Super Lightweight World Title against Paul “Dudey” McCloskey (22-0, 12 KOs) from the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.

“There isn’t a more compelling welterweight match-up than Berto vs. Ortiz,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, the promoter of the show and Berto. “We will pack the undercard with some of the biggest names in boxing from New England and the rest of the world. I couldn’t be happier returning April 16 to one of the premiere venues on the East Coast for another great night of boxing at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods.”

“This is a very risky fight for Victor, but I know he’s going to be ready for Berto on April 16,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions, Ortiz’s promoter.  “The best need to fight the best and that’s what we have with Berto vs. Ortiz.  I’m really looking forward to seeing these guys face off.”

Berto (27-0, 21 KOs), a 2004 Haitian Olympian fighting out of Winter Haven, Florida, captured the vacant WBC Welterweight World Title in 2008 by way of a seventh round technical knockout of Miguel Angel “Miki” Rodriguez .  Berto has made five successful title defenses against former World Champions Steve “2 Pound” Forbes (UD12), Luis Collazo (UD12), Juan “Iron Twin” Urango (UD12) and Carlos “El Indio” Quintana (TKO8), as well as veteran Freddy “Riel” Hernandez (TKO1) last November.

“This fight is exactly what boxing needs right now,” Berto commented.  “Two young fighters in their primes going head-to-head.  I’m excited and I know this is going to be a tremendous fight.  I look forward to fighting in the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods. I heard it’s a great facility and we plan to pack it and put on a great show.  This is going to be a great fight that no one should miss.”

Ventura, California’s “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (28-2-2, 22 KOs) is hitting his fighting prime at the age of 24.  One of the most popular young fighters in the game, the hard-punching southpaw holds victories over former World Champions Nate Campbell (UD10), Vivian Harris (KO3) and Carlos Maussa (KO1) as well as high profile opponents such as Antonio Diaz (TKO7), Mike Arnaoutis (TKO2) and Jeffrey Resto (TKO2).  The former NABO/USBA title holder has won four of his last five fights, with his last fight against Lamont Peterson ending in a 10-round majority draw on December 11, 2010.

When asked to comment on his upcoming bout with Berto, the usually talkative Ortiz simply said “I’m going to knock him out.”

Tickets are priced at $350, $200, $125, and $65 and went on sale today through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office.
For information about DiBella Entertainment, including a list of all upcoming bouts, please visit www.dbe1.com, or follow Lou DiBella on twitter, @loudibella.

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