NEW YORK, NY (April 11, 2011) – World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Welterweight World Champion and undefeated star Andre Berto is experiencing one of his best training camps ever in preparation for his sixth title defense April 16 against WBC # 5 rated challenger “Vicious” Victor Ortiz in the 12-round main event headlining the “East-West Showdown” card at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
“East-West Showdown: Berto vs. Ortiz” is presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Golden Boy Promotions. The bout will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing starting at 9:45 PM/ET 6:45 PM/PT. The broadcast kicks off with Amir “King” Khan (24-1, 17 KOs) defending his WBA Super Lightweight World Title against Paul “Dudley” McCloskey (22-0, 12 KOs) from the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.
Berto (27-0, 21 KOs), a 2004 Haitian Olympian fighting out of Winter Haven, Florida, captured the vacant WBC Welterweight World Title in 2008 by way of a seventh round technical knockout of Miguel Angel “Miki” Rodriguez. The lightning-quick boxer has made five successful title defenses against World Champions Steve “2 Pound” Forbes (UD12), Luis Collazo (UD12), Juan “Iron Twin” Urango (UD12), and Carlos “El Indio” Quintana (TKO8), as well as veteran Freddy “Riel” Hernandez (TKO1) last November.
Below are notes from Berto’s training camp in Winter Haven, Florida and his comments:
Training Camp
“This training camp has to be one of my best thus far, simply because I have been staying in shape during my off time with my strength-and-conditioning coach, Cleveland Berto. So, when training camp came around, I got in rhythm within the second week. As the weeks go on, I’m feeling stronger, faster and more conditioned. I am ready to get in the ring.”
Different Preparation for Ortiz
“I always work hard in training camp. He’s a southpaw with power, so we have to prepare and tweak a couple of things to get ready for the fight.”
Typical Berto Training Day
“I work harder and harder as fight night gets closer. We do two-a-days, swim three times a week, run and go to the boxing gym every day.”
Gameplan
“I need to do what I’ve been doing: stay sharp, smart and, of course, be the last man standing.”
Fighting at Foxwoods
“It feels good to be back on the East Coast, closer to where it all started for me. It’s a new venue so this gives two great fighters the opportunity to put it on the map because this fight will be a good one. People will remember who and where it was fought.”
Tickets are priced at $350, $200, $125, and $65 and went on sale today through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office.
For information about DiBella Entertainment, including a list of all upcoming bouts, please visit www.dbe1.com, or follow Lou DiBella on twitter, @loudibella. Follow Andre Berto on Twitter, @AndreBerto.
Shaw/Espino Ink Super Bantamweight Nehomar Cermeño
Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions is proud to announce the signing of Venezuelan former WBA Interim Bantamweight Champion and current WBA #6 super bantamweight Nehomar Cermeño (20-3, 12 KOs) to a co-promotional deal with Panama-based Rogelo Espino of Promociones Y Eventos del Istmo.
31-year-old Cermeño is a former Olympian and one of Venezuela’s most popular fighters. He became champion in 2009 by defeating top contender Christian Mijares and then defeated him again in a rematch.
Cermeño made another successful defense against Alejandro Valdez before losing his belt to the formidable Anselmo Moreno by split decision. He lost again to Moreno by another split decision in a rematch.
“This is a great signing of a very talented fighter and I’m proud to be making this deal with Nehomar and with Rogelo,” said Gary Shaw. “Both Cermeño’s fights with Moreno could have gone either way. In fact, all three of his losses were by split decision. He’s a very tough, very skilful boxer and a great addition to our stable.”
Promociones y Eventos del istmo has been awarded “Promoter of the Year” by the Panamanian Boxing Commission for 10 consecutive years. Currently, they have 27 boxers signed and have promoted 20 world title fights.
“Together Gary Shaw and I will be looking for an opportunity for a new world title fight for Cermeño,” added Espino. “This deal is going to be great for all of us.”
For more information on Promociones Y Eventos del Istmo, please visit www.proboxpanama.com. For more information on Gary Shaw Productions, please visit www.garyshawproductions.com.
Al Bernstein to Emcee 2011 BWAA Awards
The Boxing Writers Association of America is pleased to announce that Showtime broadcaster Al Bernstein will host the BWAA’s 86th annual awards banquet at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 6, 2011.
“We are ecstatic to have Al Bernstein as our master of ceremonies,” said BWAA President Jack Hirsch. “His presence will add greatly to the prestige of the affair.”
It will be quite a busy weekend for Bernstein. The evening after the BWAA dinner, at the same venue, Bernstein will call the Manny Pacquiao – Shane Mosley fight for the Showtime PPV telecast.
Despite his busy schedule, Bernstein has made the BWAA dinner a priority. Said Bernstein, “I’m honored to be able to participate in the BWAA annual awards ceremony and help pay homage to those who make boxing special by participating in it, and those who make the sport special by chronicling it.”
A full list of this year’s honorees along with ticket information can be found at bwaa.org or by calling the BWAA hotline, 212-969-0401. Further information can be had by contacting Event Coordinator Gina Andriolo 917-312-6418 or by email ginaandcom@aol.com.