?NO ROOM FOR PERFECTION IN BOXING?
Los Angeles, CA- It was apparent in WBC welterweight (147 lbs) champion Andre Berto?s (27-1, 21 KOs) 12 round defeat to the ?once again? ?Vicious Victor? Ortiz (29-2-2, 23 KOs) that Berto, while a great athlete, is not really that good of a fighter technically. Ortiz, who knocked the Hatian-American down twice in the fight, once in the first and brutally in the sixth with a wicked left hook, was the constant aggressor. Berto, looked confused and seemed dazed most of the bout. None the less, Andre was game. He had his own pair of knockdowns, a flash knockdown in the second and another one early in the sixth then made a rally during the round before going down himself at the end of the same stanza. One observation, and something lacking in Berto?s arsenal is a void of any ability to fight on the inside.
HAVE THEY STOPPED TEACHIN? INFIGHTING IN THE GYMS?
It appears that within the last five or so years, and mainly in the styles of American fighters, in-fighting is one of the most overlooked aspects of the sport even though this skill set is crucial to being successful as an elite fighter. Berto?s only remedy to stop Ortiz?s forward assault was to grab and hold. Not the most pleasing or effective way to stop your opponents aggression.
TRULY TWAS? THE NIGHT OF UNDERDOGS
Although the favored Berto lost, the fight itself did not dissapoint, expecially in the first six rounds which each man had heated exchanges. Berto, however appeared to be on shaky legs for the second half of the bout. Ortiz, who fought for the first time officially as a welterweight won Berto?s WBC crown and may have silenced most of his critics in a fight where both men did some soul searching. They proved they have heart, but showed vulnerablilities that in this sport create excitement. As HBO analyst Larry Merchant stated, ? There?s no room for perfection in boxing.?
