Andre Berto KOs Victor Ortiz in 4
On Saturday, Andre The Beast Berto finally secured his revenge in dramatic fashion against Vicious Victor Ortiz at the StubHub Center in Carson, California in a bout that was previously twice postponed.
The fight started out bad for Berto, who was knocked down in the second round by a straight left from Ortiz. However, in the fourth round, Berto drilled the southpaw with a right uppercut sending the Kansas native to the mat. Upon rising, Ortiz was met with a barrage of punches which sent him down again as referee Jack Reiss waived the fight off at the 1:14 mark of the round.
“I wasn’t hurt by the first knockdown, said Berto. I was more mad at myself for getting caught. Once he went down it was over, I knew he was hurt and I went right after him. He couldn’t take my power.
With the welterweight division hotter than ever, Berto is now in the mix to again face the best in the division. He hinted at wanting to fight WBC World Welterweight champion, Danny Garcia.
Anthony and Andre Dirrell Both Take Home The Win
The boxing weekend started off with Flint, Michigans Dirrell brothers both advancing their careers in the Super Middleweight division. Andre Dirrell took the decision against Blake Caparello and Anthony Dirrell KOd Caleb Truax in the 1st round.
In a bout that started off with a lot of back and forth action, Caparello struck first with a left in the second round that sent Andre to the canvas. Caparello again got Dirrell against the ropes and seemingly into a bit of trouble with a similar left in round three, but eventually Dirrell settled in and managed to gain control of the fight. Andre got back on the winning track with a unanimous decision victory after losing the then vacant IBF Super Middleweight title to James DeGale.
Little brother Anthony Dirrell, however, won in quick spectacular fashion. Dirrell was relaxed the entire short bout scoring one then two knockdowns. Truax was out on the second knockdown, causing referee Harvey Dock to stop the fight at just 1:49 into the first round.
“What helped me tonight was landing my shots early, said Anthony. I was right on top of him with combinations and controlling my jab and that set the tone. I showed tonight that I work hard in the gym, and it paid off. If I work like I did this time leading up to the fight, then I know nobody can beat me.”
Badou Jack Draws & James DeGale Decisions Setting Up Middleweight Unification
In an unheralded second return to the Washington, D.C. area, Mayweather Promotions hosted a Super Middleweight doubleheader, which, not without some controversy, delivered the result hoped for.
Badou Jack retained his WBC Super Middleweight title in a controversial draw against Lucian Bute
Jack was the sharper fighter from the opening bell, committing to pounding the body of the former long-time IBF Super Middleweight titlist. Facing his second southpaw, Jack prevented Bute from fighting his game, smothering the Romania-born Canadian whenever he attempted to fight on the inside.
While Jack varied his punches with a diverse attack to the body and head, he slowed in the latter rounds and allowed Bute to climb his way back into the fight. Bute had perhaps his best round in the 10th and closed the show well, in the 11th and 12th. But it was too little too late for Bute, who escaped D.C. with what most felt was an undeserved draw.
James DeGale defended his IBF Super Middleweight World Championship with a close, hard-fought unanimous decision against Rogelio Medina. DeGale was supremely accurate, landing 51 percent of his power punches compared to just 23 for Medina, including a staggering 66 percent of his power punches.
The switch-hitting southpaw attacked from unorthodox angles, and was most effective when he snuck in a right uppercut to back up Medina. But the British titlist – a record 12th from Great Britain – failed to utilize his jab and was not able to deliver on his prediction of a knockout inside of six rounds.
Shortly after, a unification bout was announced between Jack and DeGale for the Fall with no date secured yet. After the great wins by the Dirrell brothers this weekend, the Super Middleweight division is heating back up.
