The first press conference for the much-anticipated Victor Ortiz / Andre Berto II, Repeat or Revenge, was held this Monday in Los Angeles. The fight will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.

The always willing to talk manager of Ortiz, Rolando Arellano, came up to speak, and as usual pulled no punches. “I will pledge to our fans that Victor will raise the standard for this fight like never before, and if Andre thought that he ran into a freight train last time, this time he will feel the concussion of a nuclear bomb!

“Andre Berto, Lou DiBella, and Tony Morgan made several innuendos that Victor’s previous performance was on performance-enhancing drugs. Team Ortiz wants it to be clear that we never in the past, present or in the future taken any of those drugs. As a matter of fact, we take that statement as a compliment.

“Shortly after winning, Victor apologized to his team, saying that he was performing at 50% capacity. Now the other side, Berto’s camp, thought he was so good that they implied that he must have been on steroids. The only way this fight was going to happen was if we took a test. We will take the test any time, any place, any manner, by anyone. (Both of the fighters have in fact agreed to be subjected to an Olympic-style drug test which will include random blood and urine testing.)

“This is the irony of it all, OK? Rumors are that Team Berto has associated themselves with Victor Conte. Victor Conte pleaded guilty to the distribution of steroids. Nevertheless, the association of Victor Conte will not appease the extortion that’s going to happen in that ring Feb. 11. I invite one, I invite all.”

Ortiz’ trainer Danny Garcia was much more short-winded. “I just want to say that Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz are going to have a hell of a fight, because they had a great one in April. Andre wants to beat Victor, and Victor wants to get him again. We’re going to work hard and be prepared. The fight will be great, and I hope everybody enjoys it.”

Obviously, Berto’s trainer Tony Morgan also had some things to say. “One thing I like about Victor, Victor never talks. He doesn’t say a lot of B.S.; he’s a straight-up guy. I met him at the airport. I haven’t really talked to him a lot, but he’s not a shit-talker. I respect that about him. His team on the other hand, 24-7…I like Victor, I respect him, he’s a hell of a champion, but his team talks too much for him. Come fight night, it’ll show up in the ring, it always does. Last time they were victorious, he did his job. Feb. 11 we will be, I promise.”

Finally, the men of the moment. First it was Berto. “I’m very excited to be here, and to get this fight going. The first fight, I definitely take my hat off to Victor. He came in to do what he had to do, and I respect him for that. I took it like a man. The only thing that I know how to do is get back up and keep on pushing. I’m going back to the drawing board. I gave up the world title just to make this fight happen.

“I’m a fight fan at the end of the day, and the fight we had the first time around, I believe that’s the type of fight people need, to fall in love with boxing. It feels good because we made the fight happen. I just want to say to Victor he has a tremendous team, he’s a tremendous fighter, and I’m definitely looking forward to doing it again. It’s going to be fun. I’m hungry like I need to be, and I’m excited about it, so everybody please stay tuned, Feb. 11, it’s going to be another classic, I promise you.”

And then it was Victor’s turn. “I don’t really say a lot. I know I’m up against tough opposition. I will prepare myself; I’ll leave everything in the ring, and get the victory once again.”

Victor spent several seconds telling us that he had no problem with anyone in Berto’s camp, and that he respected Andre.

“I don’t hate anybody. I saw Lamont Peterson. You know, we fought, we had a great fight, and when I saw him I gave him a hug and said, ‘Congratulations Champ’.”

“The first fight (with Berto) was a great fight, a hell of a war. I go down, he goes down so I’m prepared for another one of those. We’ll put on a great fight and a great show. I’m ready.”

The CEO of Golden Boy Richard Schaefer reminded us that the two fighters are gentlemen out of the ring, but give us fireworks inside, and that it will be exciting. In fact, about the only thing that everyone did agree on was that this should be a super fight.
Also, Schaefer made sure that we knew this will not be a pay-per-view fight, so everyone can see it.

One other thing that was mentioned was that we will no longer miss the undercards. All of the undercard fights will be televised live on Showtime Extreme, and then they will switch to Showtime for remaining fights on the card. Hopefully this works, because it is a great idea.

Be safe and God Bless,
Viva La Raza,
Barb.