Former world champions "Vicious" Victor Ortiz (31-5-2, 24 KOs) of Oxnard and Andre "The Beast" Berto (30-4, 23 KOs) of Winter Haven, Florida held a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Conga Room at LA Live in Los Angeles for their rematch taking place Saturday April 30 at Stub Hub Center in Carson, California in the next series of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX.
TGB Promotions Tom Brown welcomed everyone and made the opening statements.
“5 years ago these guys had the opportunity to fight in the 2011 Fight of the Year. TGB Promotions is very proud and honored to host this highly anticipated rematch at the premier outdoor boxing venue at the Stub Hub Center,” Brown said.
Ring Announcer Ray Flores served as the MC as he made his opening comments on the fight.
“We are excited for the rematch, 5 years later these two fighters are going to put on a great show,” Ray Flores said. “This was an epic 2011 Fight of the Year both gave their all April 16, 2011. Neither wanted to take a step back,” Flore added.
In attendance representing Fox Sports was William Wanger as he talked about FOX hosting the event.
“We are really looking forward to it. It will be an outdoor slugfest and it will be a great night,” Wanger said.
Andre Berto spoke.
“I’m excited it is going to be a tremendous night I promise you that. In that fight back then he got me I wasn’t one-hundred percent but he had to do what he did to win,” Berto said. “This time I am going in extremely focused. This is what you asked for. This is what he asked for. This is not the same situation I promise you that we will see and make sure you tune in April 30,” Berto added.
Victor Ortiz was brief with his comments.
“2011 was a hell of a year I conquered a championship. Repeat is coming April 30th expect no less. I am going to be ready and I know he will. I don’t need to talk, I do my talking in the ring,” Ortiz said.
Shortly after the photo face-off Ortiz and Berto had words as suddenly Berto shoved Ortiz. The two fighters were immediately separated as the trash talk continued. Ortiz and Berto met back in April of 2011 as Ortiz went in as an underdog against a then undefeated WBC champion Andre Berto. Ortiz went on to win the by a close decision in a 2011 Fight of the Year candidate in winning the WBC welterweight title.
Ortiz vs. Berto will be a scheduled 12 round fight as they look to start off where they left off the last time they met in a venue that has had its tradition of hosting many memorable fights.
Also present at Wednesday’s press conference former three division world champion Fernando Montiel (54-5-2, 39 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico and undefeated featherweight contender Jorge Lara (27-0-2, 19 KOs) of Guadalara, Mexico as they will be featured on the Premier Boxing Champions on Fox telecast.
“You have a former world champion in Montiel taking on an undefeated and hungry contender in Lara,” Brown said.
“There is something that happens when you have 2 Mexican fighters in the ring” Ray Flores said.
“It’s exciting for me to part of this card. The fight with Lara is going to warm up the ring that night,” Montiel said. “Lara is a good young fighter and I know he will come ready. I have prepared really hard and strong. Don’t miss it,” Montiel added.
“It’s honor for me to fight on a card like this. This is not going to be an easy fight. I know the accomplishments Montiel has had. We have prepared really hard for this fight to give a great fight,” Lara said. “We are looking forward to the challenge and April 30 it will be a great fight,” Lara added.
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