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 Ortiz Wins an Epic Battle
Captures WBC Welterweight Crown
Ringside Report by Scott Ploof & Mariano Agmi
Photography By Emily Harney
Over the years, the Foxwoods Resort and Casino, along with the newer MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT have held numerous memorable fights over the course of their history. James Toney vs. Vassily Jirov, Carl Froch vs. Jermain Taylor, Vinny Paz getting his 50th career win over Tocker Pudwill, the two wars that Scott Pemberton had against Omar Sheika that were both ESPN fights of the year, Diego Corrales vs. Joel Casamayor, Diego Corrales vs. Acelino “Popo” Freitas, most recently, Sergio Martinez vs. Sergiy Dzinziruk, as well as many, many more.
Now we can add yet another war into the history books of boxing at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods and the Fox Theatre, “Vicious” Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto. For this writer, after having covered hundreds of boxing events of the last ten years, I can truly say that this bout was a war and one of the best fights I have seen in years.
After the smoke cleared and the dust settled, after several knockdowns by both competitors and as a sure fire candidate for “Fight of the Year,” it was “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) that captured a unanimous twelve round decision over the previously undefeated Andre Berto (27-1, 21 KOs) and in the process captured Berto’s WBC welterweight championship as well. The seven bout card titled, “The East – West Showdown” was promoted by Lou DiBella and DBE Entertainment.
All three judges scored the bout for Ortiz, 114-111, 114-112, and 115-110. For Ortiz, this is his third world championship after having captured the interim WBA light welterweight title and the WBO light welterweight title in previous fights over his 33 professional fight career. As Floyd Mayweather, along with rapper, 50 Cent, watched from his prime seat at ringside, all he could do was watch as his potential future matchup against Berto went up in smoke after the victory by Ortiz.
Ortiz not only has overcome his battle with Berto, but growing up as a young man in Kansas, he had a hard life on his way to becoming a champion. Ortiz’s mother abandoned him at an early age, and his father who was an alcoholic, was the man that first started Ortiz into boxing.
After winning the Golden Gloves in the state of Kansas, Ortiz’s life had changed. Previously, Ortiz as a young man was dealing drugs, however after winning the Golden Gloves, it has been said that he realized at that moment he had to clean up his life. He dedicated himself to his craft of boxing after moving in with his sister back in 2002 as he got his life straightened out and his boxing career on track.
Fast forward to Saturday night at the MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods as many people in the media as well as fans of our great sport were almost convinced that Berto would be successful in his title defense, I believe that no one would have expected such a war between two of the best competitors of our sport.
In the first round, Ortiz caught Berto early with a left hand that caused Berto to place his glove on the canvas which would have been considered a knockdown, but instead was ruled a slip by referee Michael Ortega. Although ruled a slip, it was easy to see that Berto was immediately hurt as Ortiz went right after him. Ortiz then landed a barrage of punches while Berto was slumped in the corner. This then caused referee Ortega to then administer a standing eight count on Berto, causing him his first knockdown of the fight. Berto was alright and able to finish the round as the sold out crowd were on their feet immediately.
The former WBC welterweight champion, Berto, came out firing a jab early in round two as a way to buy him some time and keep Ortiz away from charging right in at him. The sold out crowd was immediately getting behind Ortiz.
 Ortiz was throwing wild punches at Berto, hoping to connect and put his hurt adversary back on the canvas, throwing and landing hooks and uppercuts on Berto. Ortiz in order to keep Berto within his target range, pushed him back into the corner for what he thought was his ability to land more punches on his hurt opponent.
This would prove to be a mistake for
Ortiz as Berto immediately landed two solid right hands that sent Ortiz to the canvas. After Ortiz was up at the count of eight, he continued to throw wild punches to counter the Berto knockdown, and as a smiling Berto dodged and slipped from Ortiz’s attack, the second round came to a close.
Now with both fighters having been knocked down in the first two rounds of the fight, the sold out crowd knew they were in for an epic battle. Both fighters were trading punches and landing some hard shots on each other in round three. Ortiz landed a big right hook that had Berto hurt once again in the fight. Just like in round two, Ortiz pushed Berto back again to get him within his punching range only to be met again with solid shots from Berto. Ortiz misses with a right that Berto was able to nicely counter at the end of the round.
At the beginning of round four, both Ortiz and Berto were throwing bombs at each other. Berto connected with a huge counter left that had the crowd back on its feet. Berto was content this round with his back against the ropes, waiting for his opportunity to counter Ortiz. Ortiz continued to fire punches and land well as Berto was unable to dodge and counter his offense. Ortiz had Berto hurt in the corner again and was looking to end the fight right there as referee Ortega watched the action closely. Berto finally at the end of the round landed with the counter he had been looking for the entire round. This however was not enough for Berto to win the round, as it went to Ortiz.
Once again as in the second round, Berto began round five with his jab in order to keep a safe distance from Ortiz. Berto missed with a combination and then begins to hold Ortiz. Ortiz was initially warned by referee Ortega for hitting Berto in the back of his head. Berto played this to his advantage as every time that the two combatants fought in close, Berto would tuck his head into his chin, thus leaving the back of his head exposed as the only target Ortiz could fire punches at.
Both warriors at this point were back in the fight as they each fought at a moderate pace. Ortiz connected with a solid right that once again had the crowd on its feet. Ortiz missed another one and Berto countered with two right hooks that had Ortiz in trouble in round six. After Berto landed a barrage of punches on his opponent, Ortiz was knocked down to the canvas but recovered by the count of eight.
Looking for the kill, Berto after knocking down Ortiz initially in round six was firing bombs with malice in order to put Ortiz away. Ortiz in desperation perhaps countered his opponent with two solid right hands, which now had Berto hurt once again. With Ortiz in trouble still as well, he landed a solid combination right at the end of round six that sent Berto to the canvas. Berto was able to get off the canvas by the count of eight, as both fighters were knocked down in an action packed sixth round.
In the middle rounds, both fighters continued to battle toe to toe. Berto continued to keep firing and landing with good frequency with his right hand. Ortiz was the busier of the two fighters however landing with rights of his own which allowed him to also land combinations on Berto.
Ortiz again was warned by referee Ortega for hitting Berto in the back of the head in round nine and after another shot from Ortiz to Berto in round ten, referee Ortega deducted one point from Ortiz for the third infraction. This had the Ortiz camp furious at the referee as they complained that each time Berto was hurt, all he would do is hold onto Ortiz to prevent further damage.
In the championship rounds, both fighters continued to throw hard punches at each other with Ortiz still getting the better of the exchanges. Berto, who was tired in the final two rounds did all he could do to fight back, however he had to resort to holding Ortiz in order for him to stay in the fight and not get knocked down for a third time.
When the final bell rang to signal the end of the fight, the sold out crowd at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods was electric as they knew that they had witnessed a battle for the ages. As the decision was read along with the WBC welterweight title having been wrapped around Ortiz’s waist, all his corner and supporters could do was cheer in triumph, while Berto’s supporters could only watch in disbelief. Make no mistake about it though, this will not be the last time we see Andre Berto with a world title belt around his waist. – Scott Ploof
 Latimore Thrashes Sharpe
Deandre “The Bull” Latimore (22-3, 17 KOs) turned in a dominant eight round performance over seasoned veteran Dennis Sharpe (17-7-3, 4 KOs) to position himself closer to a second try at a junior middleweight title.
Whether he chose to lead with right jabs and straight lefts or counterpunch with left hooks and right uppercuts, Latimore, of St. Louis, MI, was totally in control of the fight from the opening bell.
The 25-year-old Latimore (155 ¾) stunned Sharpe (154 ¾) on numerous occasions, using superior technique and faster hands to bloody his opponent’s nose. Sharpe, who has been in the ring with a bevy of junior middleweight and middleweight prospects such as Peter Quillin, Ronald Hearns, Giovanni Lorenzo and Andy Lee, appeared slow and outgunned but never relented.
Instead, the Bayonne, NJ resident continuously moved forward, courageously absorbing Latimore's vicious shots as he displayed his traditionally dependable chin. “I had a tough, strong opponent in Sharpe,” admitted Latimore. “I didn’t go for the knockout because I needed to get the rust off after a nine month layoff”.
After eight dominant rounds, judges Julie Lederman, Clark Sammartino and Steve Weisfeld all scored the bout 80-72.
With the win, Latimore (IBF #6), who knocked down and gave Cory Spinks hell in a split decision loss for the vacant IBF junior middleweight title in 2009, sets himself up for a showdown against either Cuban standout Erislandy Lara or Carlos Molina, two boxers who recently battled to a majority draw on ESPN2.
The winner of that bout may become the mandatory to face current IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage “[I want] either that or an HBO fight against Paul Williams,” announced the winner. -- Mariano Agmi
Rosa Stops Cepeda
Undefeated bantamweight Luis Rosa (6-0, 5 KOs) displayed great power and speed in gaining a fifth round TKO stoppage over Joseliz Cepeda (4-2) in a six round scheduled bout. After getting knocked down twice, referee Dick Flaherty called a halt to the action at 1:12 when Cepeda was not close to recovering off the canvas by the count of six. – Scott Ploof
Elegele Knocks Out Hernandez
Unbeaten welterweight Joe Elegele (12-0, 10 KOs) made quick work of his opponent Angel Hernandez (14-10, 11 KOs) as he landed a hard body shot to the ribs that sent Hernandez down for the count of ten. Elegele methodically landed punches and moved well in the first round. By round two the punishment Elegele landed on Hernanadez paid off as he sent him to the canvas at 2:54. – Scott Ploof
Love Stops Peterson
J’Leon Love kept his perfect record intact as he dominated his opponent JC Peterson over two rounds finally stopping him at 2:13 of the second. Love landed several punishing body and head combinations until Peterson crumbled to the canvas. The referee began the count, but as soon as he realized Peterson was hurt and not going to be able to continue, he instantly stopped the contest. Love remains perfect (6-0, 5 KOs), while Peterson falls to (1-11). – Scott Ploof
Lamonakis Decisions Jackson
Female 223 pound heavyweight Sonya Lamonakis (5-0, 1 KO) kept her undefeated record intact as she out worked and out landed her opponent, 285 lb GiGi Jackson (2-2) over four action packed rounds. All three judges scored the bout for Lamonakis 39-37 twice and 40-36. – Scott Ploof
Contact the authors via email, Scott Ploof or Mariano Agmi
Contact the photographer via email, Emily Harney |
