The highly anticipated rematch between former welterweight champions Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz has been postponed. On Monday morning Berto suffered an arm injury during sparring, after an MRI scan later in the day the injury was confirmed as a ruptured left bicep, he is expected to undergo surgery today. According to Berto’s trainer the injury was suffered when Berto threw a hook to the head of sparring partner Tureano Johnson. At this moment there is no estimated date for when the fight will take place.
Their first fight which took place in April of last year, was considered by many to be one of the best fights of 2011. The contest which resulted in a unanimous decision for Ortiz was non-stop action from start to finish, containing multiple knockdowns for both fighters and Ortiz being deducted a point in the tenth for an illegal punch.
Ortiz who celebrates his 25th birthday today spoke of his disappointment about the postponement ”Disappointed isn’t even the best word to describe how I feel right now. I got home, and my manager is like, ‘guess what? I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’m just going to to ahead and tell you that your fight has been postponed or cancelled,’” said Ortiz.
“I’m going to go on a 10-mile run on the morning of my 25th birthday,” he added, ”That’s just how angry I am.”
Ortiz did understand the situation and showed his sympathy, “It’s just one of those things, man,” said Ortiz,”It can happen to anyone, and I wish him a quick and speedy recovery.”
The fight had great meaning to both fighters, Berto gave up his IBF title in order to make the fight happen. The Miami fighter is desperate to avenge the only loss of his professional career and once again have his name considered with the worlds elite. Ortiz himself will want to get back to winning ways after his controversial loss to Floyd Mayweather, and what’s best than to once again beat the man considered the best at 147lbs other than ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd and Manny Pacquiao. It is rumoured that with the postponement Ortiz may be added to the list of potential opponents for Floyd Mayweather and his May 5th bout, a fight that Ortiz will now doubt grab with both hands.
“I’m open to fighting Floyd. I’m definitely ready, bro. First fight was just one of those things where stuff happens, you know?” said Ortiz. “But this time, I’ll keep it clean. No craziness. Other than that, let’s dance once again.”
