On Saturday, April 30, 2016 former world champions “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (31-5-2, 24 KOs) of Oxnard and Andre “The Beast” Berto (30-4, 23 KOs) of Winter Haven, Florida will square off in a highly-anticipated rematch of their 2011 Fight of the Year on Premier Boxing Champions on FOX.
Also on the card will be a sure-fight Light Heavyweight scrap between Edwin Rodriguez and Thomas Williams.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Ortiz vs. Berto and Rodriguez vs. Williams and let us know who you think will win.
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Photos by Arnold Turner and Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
Edwin Rodriguez
vs.
Thomas Williams
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
I am picking Edwin Rodriguez, in what could be a competitive fight against Thomas Williams Jr.
The southpaw stance of Williams Jr. could prove awkward, but I see Rodriguez pressuring and overwhelming his opponent over the course of the fight, thus earning a points win.
Prediction: Rodriguez
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
Violence! That’s what we’re going to get with Edwin Rodriguez vs. Thomas Williams Jr. Whoever put this matchup together deserves a raise because this is going to be sweet.
Rodriguez is every action fan’s dream fighter. “La Bomba” loads up on every shot and throws and throws until whatever is in front of him falls overs. Sure, he might get put on his back every now and again, but he brushes it off and goes back to dishing out pain.
On the other hand, Williams Jr. is a bit more technical, more reserved. I mean, he’ll try to box. But unless you’re Andre Ward, you can’t stay dedicated and outbox Rodriguez.
What do I predict? Pain. Well, besides that, Rodriguez should be too much for the still novice Williams Jr. to handle. I expect Williams to stand his ground and duke it out, but sooner or later, Rodriguez will catch him with a massive right hand. Rodriguez by KO.
Prediction: Rodriguez
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
Edwin Rodriguez (28-1, 19 KOs) faces Thomas Williams Jr. (19-1, 13 KOs) Saturday night in what is expected to be an exciting fight. Rodriguez has power in both hands and a killer instinct when he has his opponents up against the ropes. Rodriguez has knocked out four of his last seven opponents, bouncing back from his one and only loss to Andre Ward.
While Rodriguez is coming off impressive wins, Williams Jr. has also won five of his last six fights. Williams Jr. is known to carry a lot of power behind his punches–like his father, former heavyweight Thomas “Top Dawg” Williams Sr.
The biggest concerns I have with Williams Jr. are that he has never fought someone as talented as Rodriguez, as well as the fact that he has only one fight under his belt since 2015. Ultimately, I think it will come down to experience which Rodriguez is definitely the more experienced of the two.
Prediction: Rodriguez
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I’m expecting a barn burner between Edwin Rodriguez and Thomas Williams. We’ve seen Rodriguez come out swinging for the fences on numerous occasions–Denis Grachev and Michael Seals are two examples–and generally speaking he has good results, so I expect him to try and overwhelm Thomas Williams.
I think Williams will have to weather that early storm, but instead of doing so with his boxing ability, I think he’ll opt to go to war–and that will be trouble.
Both guys are a bit chinny, but they will also will get up and continue to try and get even. I haven’t seen Williams really improve since the Gabriel Campillo, so unless he’s turned extremely disciplined and decides to out box Rodriguez (which he certainly can), I see “La Bomba” ending this back-and-forth battle early.
Prediction: Rodriguez
Victor Ortiz
vs.
Andre Berto
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
No doubt both fighters have had a rocky time these last few years, Victor Ortiz more so than Andre Berto.
However, I am predicting another win for Ortiz. Specifically, a close decision win after a hard-fought battle.
I feel the activity of Ortiz will be key, who landed more power shots than Berto in their first fight.
Prediction: Ortiz
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
How am I supposed to provide a prediction for something as unpredictable as this? My god, I am drawing straws right here trying to analyze this fight.
Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto remind me of a bittersweet couple that can’t move on from each other after breaking up. After Ortiz and Berto fought each other, both of their careers have gone haywire.
After Berto, Ortiz got sucker punched by Floyd Mayweather, had his jaw shattered by Josesito Lopez, and was KO’d by Luis Collazo.
Berto, on the other hand, got pummeled by Robert Guerrero and knocked silly by Jesus Soto Karass.
Both have made decent comebacks. Ortiz has two wipe-out victories over no names, while Berto stopped the aforementioned Lopez and was used as a victory lap for Mayweather.
I really don’t have much to work with here. Ortiz whipping two random opponents doesn’t prove if he’s still championship level. Berto was getting outboxed by Lopez until an overly quick stoppage saved him.
And Berto’s performance against Mayweather? I mean, he almost landed 100 punches… okay yeah, he was outclassed.
If Ortiz can look deep down inside of himself and pull out the version of himself that walked through Berto the first time they fought… okay, that’s a lot to ask for, and I don’t think Ortiz has got it in him.
Berto, at the very least, has proven a bit more consistent the last few years. When Berto is game, he’s truly a beast. Wicked speed and snappy power should counter Ortiz’s rusty aggression.
Berto seems the fresher of the two, and I expect him to box well against Ortiz. Berto by clear decision in a wild fight.
Prediction: Berto
Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer
PBC might have finally realized we’d rather see two B-level guys battle it out instead of an A guy versus a C guy.
This fight is going to be fun, it’s going to be sloppy and it’s going to remind us all why we live for this sport.
That said, Andre Berto’s level of opposition has been much better than Victor Ortiz’s lately, and I see that playing a factor come fight night.
Ortiz’s chin hasn’t been tested in a while and I can easily see it breaking like a fine vase.
Prediction: Berto
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
Victor Ortiz (31-5-2, 24 KOs) and Andre Berto (30-4, 23 KOs) meet again Saturday night at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. They previously fought in 2011 in a Welterweight championship fight which Ortiz won via unanimous decision–giving Berto his first loss. Since their last clash in the ring, both fighters have gone through a rough patch in their careers. After Berto’s first loss, he has gone 3-3, while Ortiz lost his following three fights and won his last two.
While both fighters are coming into the fight confident they will end the night with their hand raised, Berto has stressed the fact that he has matured greatly since the first fight. Berto stated, “I definitely learned a lot. I went through a lot of situations as well that bring me to this point,” said Berto.
“I’m a lot more of a stronger fighter now, mentally and physically. I’m with a great coach in Virgil Hunter, and we’ve been putting these pieces together.”
I am expecting an extremely intense fight because both have described how important this fight is for their careers. Ortiz is known for throwing a high percentage of power punches, but he is also known for absorbing a lot of power punches as well.
Berto is an aggressive offensive fighter much like Ortiz, who also struggles in his defensive efforts. I think Berto is going to come into this fight and put everything on the line–he is passionate and ready for revenge. Saturday night Andre Berto will prove he still has more left in his tank, I am predicting that he is going to beat Ortiz in a late-fight stoppage.
Prediction: Berto
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Just like the Edwin Rodriguez vs. Thomas Williams fight, regardless of who wins the main event, it should be fun. Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto’s 2011 scrap was a fight of the year barn burner with enough back-and-forth action to make you dizzy.
Since that first fight, both Ortiz and Berto have fallen short of their potential and have been beat up a bit. But, kudos to them for rebounding and at least getting back to this point. Not sure that the winner cements himself as a top player in the Welterweight division, but the loser certainly might think about hanging up the gloves. That should be motivation enough.
They both look sharp in training and are talking a great game, so it’s a bit of a toss up here. I don’t think we can look at the 2011 version of Ortiz and say he will do the same, because this is really his first test since being put to sleep by the feather-fisted Luis Collazo.
Manny Perez clipped Ortiz with some good shots, but he is naturally smaller than Ortiz so Victor was able to take them. If Ortiz goes to war with Berto, I’m not sure he can survive clean shots and furthermore if he tastes the canvas I don’t know if he’s mentally prepared to get up.
Having said all that, I really don’t have much faith in Berto’s skill set (never have) or the supposed advantages he has for being the fresher guy. He stunk up the joint against Floyd Mayweather and he wasn’t all that impressive against a shop worn Josesito Lopez before that. Perhaps against my better judgement, I am picking Ortiz to pull this one out by close decision. Expect some knockdowns!
Prediction: Ortiz
