“I’m a lot faster and smarter than Marcos Maidana” – Andre Berto to Victor Ortiz
What to know the quickest way into a boxing journalist’s heart? Feed him or her and have some good quotes. Golden Boy and Lou DiBella did both on Wednesday with their New York City press conference for Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz. Amidst a bunch of clanking plates and utensils, both sides made their case for the April 16 matchup being must-see HBO TV. The most important thing they had to stress is Ortiz not being a true junior welterweight. Berto has received flack before for fighting smaller fighters, but that’s not exactly the case here. Ortiz has struggled to make 140 for several fights and should be the same size as Berto on fight night. But it remains to be seen if Ortiz can take a legit welterweight punch, especially a 147 pounder like Berto with the speed and power.
I’m a little perplexed about this fight being at the Foxwoods in Connecticut. Berto is not a ticket-seller anywhere and Ortiz has drawn well on the West Coast in California.
Be sure to note Lou DiBella going in on Bob Arum and Mike Jones for allegedly ducking Berto.
Shout out to BoricuaBoxing.com for the footage.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 