What could be nicer than a Saturday nite
HBO-Showtime twin-thriller with titles on the line in both pairings -
especially one that played out with the underdogs leaving with the
respective crowns?
First out of the proverbial gate we get
the HBO special with Andre Berto defending his WBC welter bauble- no
sooner than opening stanza and there's the unbeaten champ down courtesy
of “Vicious” Victor Ortiz barrage - but don't go away, we've only just
begun.
Ortiz, looking for a quickie, is on the
attack in numero dos - bam - Berto counter right hand catches the sweet
spot and Ortiz stumbles backwards and is down.
Then number three with Ortiz regaining
the upper hand with the far bigger output - it continues that way over
the first five chapters - still, Berto, while not busy would show he
still had the puncher's chance.
Fast forward to stanza six it's a Berto
power right hand and Ortiz is once again down - but before one could say
“told ya so” it was Ortiz with a big left hand and Berto is down.
Ortiz would have the edge in seven and
then take full control with the busier output down to the finish line -
only debit arrives in stanza ten when the hack in charge Mike Ortega saw
fit to deduct a point for a rabbit punch.
It would go the full dozen stanzas with
all the judges seeing it for Ortiz to the tune of 115-110, 114-112,
114-111. My unofficial agreed Ortiz 115-110.
Post Scripts: Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22
KOs) ~ age 24 - the new champ at 147 is young, quick southpaw slinger.
Erased them questions concerning true grit. Rebounded when needed and
finished the stronger. Return bout would be justified.
Andre Berto (27-1, 21 KOs) ~ age 27 - was
my pick going in. During post fight interview made no excuses. Simply
showed class saying he simply could not get off. That sums it up to the
letter. Don't write him off just now.
Referee report card: Sorry folks … we can
run but cannot hide. Include the name Mike Ortega to your list of hacks
that could screw up a high mass. I mean, in styles we had a can't-miss
fight, and this chump is there like glue breaking them up the instant
they meet on the inside. No matter if they had a free hand that was in
motion. Then, the number ten start of the proverbial “championship
rounds” he deducts a point to Ortiz.
