Back in the early and mid 1900s, losing was part of the “paying dues” process of boxing. A fighter wasn’t considered seasoned and ready for a title shot until they’ve at least bounced back from the disappointment of a tough loss. Today’s cable network and pay per view-dependent business model offers no such understanding or patience. One loss, especially a bad one, can destroy a fighter’s marketability for years and sometimes permanently. Such a fate possibly awaits the loser of tonight’s HBO main event between WBC welterweight titlist Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz.
Welterweight is a wide open division. With Cotto moving up, Mayweather inactive, and Pacquiao recently selecting soft touches, this Ortiz-Berto matchup has morphed into a fight that’ll give the victor a legit claim to being the heir apparent of the division. Berto himself senses this as well, believing it would be better career-wise to build a resume at 147 instead of weight-hopping. Still, he’s ready to dabble a junior middleweight if all else fails.
“Anywhere I go I’ll be good. I fought at 154-156 in my amateur career,” Berto revealed. “But I still have some work to do at 147. There are some good fighters coming up. Either way, I don’t think I’ll be getting bored soon. There will be a lot of competition for me.”
Youth, speed and knockout power are usually ingredients boxing fans covet in a fighter. Their responses so far to Berto have been tepid at best, even following a Fight of Year contender against Luis Collazo back in January 2009. His live gates have been low, and artist-styled marketing attempts on Hip-Hop websites have only generated modest interest. These factors were the basis for Top Rank CEO Bob Arum selecting a faded by more well-known Shane Mosley for Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent.
According to Arum, a Berto win over Ortiz would do little entice him to make the match. In fact, Arum is already disclosed to the media that Pacquiao’s next opponent should he defeat Mosley will likely be a rubbermatch with Juan Manuel Marquez.
When asked about Arum’s critique, Berto dismisses it as simply a political statement to justify keeping Pacquiao away from any fighter not under the Top Rank stable.
“At the end of the day styles make fights. If they were to make a fight between me and Pacquiao tomorrow, I believe it’ll gain everyone’s interest,” Berto argued. “I’ve put on a lot of impressive performances for the public to be interested in. It doesn’t even matter. Their job is to hype and promote fights. When Pacquiao and Margarito first got done nobody was interested to see that fight. But they put that promotional machine behind it and they got about a million buys. It’s just a bunch of excuses. Of course everyone would want to see Pacquiao fight a new, young and fast fighter. Bob Arum just wants to keep everything in-house.”
The predictions on Berto-Ortiz have been very mixed. With both men having great KOs and absolute stinkers on their resumes, it’s difficult to discern if they’ll come out cautious or with guns blazing. Either way, Berto feels the deciding factor will be Ortiz’s perceived mental fragility. Unlike most, Berto believes it was Golden Boy Promotions’ marketing campaign, not just Maidana’s fists, that have made Ortiz unsure of himself.
“His current situation comes from him being very hyped. What he went through fighting Maidana, that was a nightmare for him,” Berto detailed. “I don’t think any young fighter would be composed going into this fight knowing that if you lose this fight it could mean going completely behind the scenes. Ortiz has seen the other side of the boxing game.”
“He was majorly hyped and got stopped in his hometown and saw how everyone turned on him. He’s mentally prepared but the nightmares are still in his mind. He doesn’t want that to happen again, but he knows there’s that chance. He’s definitely concerned about it.”
Andre Berto has his own questions to answer. Are we going to get the passive fighter who constantly clinched against Juan Urango, or the man who walked down and brutally bombed out Carlos Quintana?
“When I was boxing and trying to move, that really wasn’t entertaining enough for some other critics,” Berto conceded. “I’m going back to what I know to do and that’s put everything together to get these guys out of there. I’m testing their will and hearts, and that’s what will we get me all the respect.”
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A Heart Made of Glass?
Victor Ortiz is a decided underdog in this fight. His mental makeup has been in question since his 2009 upset loss to Marcos Maidana, where he appeared resigned to quitting the sport after the tough loss (“I don’t deserve to be getting beat up like this.”) He gave his critics more ammunition when he debuted his first rap single, “Catwalk,” just a week out from the biggest matchup of his career. When questioned about the timing, Ortiz is steadfast in claiming that boxing remains his top focus.
“I just write. That was actually my major in school, so whenever I have some free time I write in my journal or make music,” he said. “It’s a little outlet to have fun with. I have different styles of music. I’m not sure about an album yet. Boxing is my #1 priority.”
This claim is belied by Ortiz’s last performance, a disappointing draw against Lamont Peterson. Like the Maidana fight, he stormed out to a big early lead with several knockdowns before losing his killer instinct when Peterson refused to capitulate. The early knockdowns were enough for Ortiz to earn a draw, but it reinforced the belief of critics that he was mentally fragile. In reflection, Ortiz admits he did not fight to his full capability. Yet, he vehemently disagrees that Peterson’s effort warranted the verdict.
“Honestly, the last fight was complete bull. I clearly did enough to take the victory,” said Ortiz, the disgust still evident in his voice. “Yeah, I didn’t fight at my best, but even my 65% was enough to beat him anytime. I don’t know what those judges were seeing. I know it’s a tough fight. I’ve prepared for the best Berto possible. I don’t feel the pressure because I’m prepared and have listened to my coaches in and out of the ring. I’m definitely ready.”
It’s likely there will be several moments tonight where Ortiz’s heart will be tested as it was in the Maidana fight. While Berto believes that will be his foe’s worst nightmare, Ortiz says he’ll welcomes the moment and opportunity to prove naysayers wrong.
“At the end of the day I know what’s in my heart and what I’ve got,” he stated. “I’m not worried about what they’re saying or thinking. I’m taking that victory whether people like it or not. I will be reigning at 147 being that everyone at 140 never gave me a shot. I’ll be the king there.”
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Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 