The sequel to Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz’s 2011 Fight of the Year contender will air on Showtime in early 2012.
Over the last few years, both fighters had fought exclusively on HBO. Their exciting, knockdown-filled April brawl led to winner, Victor Ortiz, facing Mayweather last September in one of the highest grossing boxing pay-per-views of the year with 1.3 million buys. That same month, Berto would rebound from his first loss with a with a cuts stoppage over Jan Zaveck to win the IBF welterweight title.
According to ESPN, Showtime paid $2.25 million for the bout, narrowly beating out a HBO offer of $2.15 million.
At press time, the rematch is proposed to happen on either January 28 and February 11.
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This fight makes perfect sense for both guys, and more so for Berto, whose TKO of Zaveck was another exciting slugfest. Ortiz will be coming off the embarrassing Mayweather loss which may or may not affect his confidence. Berto’s defense was still very leaky with Zaveck, ensuring the Ortiz rematch should be another war. Most importantly, this move keeps HBO on notice about the need to make competitive fights over showcase exhibitions for their “star” fighters. Earlier this year Showtime stole Pacquiao away for one bout when he fought Shane Mosley. Now, they’ve taken two of HBO’s younger stars that the network has invested millions of dollars in.
Let’s hope this comes off in January. Boxing needs to begin 2012 with some fireworks.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 