For the final time before their WBC welterweight championship fight, Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz came face to face with words instead of punches. At the Armory on the Hudson in New York city`s Washington Heights area, Berto and Ortiz met with the media and students from Harlem`s Rice High School to speak about issues on obesity, staying fit and dealing with family challenges.
The event was emceed by HBO`s boxing after dark play by play announcer Bob Papa. The festivities were kicked off by Berto`s promoter Lou Di Bella, followed by Ortiz` Promoter Richard Schaeffer and President of HBO sports Ross Greenberg.
Brooklyn city councilman Matthew Eugene, a native of Berto`s homeland Haiti, also spoke and thanked Andre for all the hard work he`s contributed to the rebuilding effort of Haiti after the deadly earthquake a little over a year ago.
Victor Ortiz took to the podium and spoke about his training camp and vowed to be ready, and Berto also stood center stage and thanked his team and HBO for the opportunity to defend his WBC title. When it came time for a face to face photo op, Berto and Ortiz started jawing at each other and it seemed to get a little heated, which pleased the media and the students of Rice H.S.
After everyone settled down, video clips of both fighters from HBO`s ring life were played on the big screen. Berto and Ortiz were interviewed individually by Bob Papa, fielded questions from the students and also posed for some pictures with them as well.
Quick quotes from Berto:
TBO - Aside from speed what are your other advantages over Ortiz?
AB - "More speed, punching power and ring smarts."
TBO - What do you think of Ortiz` resume?
AB - "He`s a quitter, I sat ringside and watched him quit vs Maidana."
TBO - Assuming a victory, who would be next?
AB - "I would love to fight the bigger names, but it depends on whats on the calendar."
TBO - Is beating Victor Ortiz a definate step closer to the bigger names in the division? Would getting the fight back with Mosley be a waste of time should he lose to Pacquiao?
AB - "It wouldn`t be a waste of time, it just depends on who`s available."
TBO - Since its in the same division, who do you like on May 7th, Pacquiao or Mosley?
AB - "Pacquiao."
Quick quotes from Ortiz:
TBO - Being naturally bigger, what are some of your other advantages you see for yourself coming into this fight?
VO - "We worked on alot of new things in camp, I don`t really want to give anything away."
TBO- What do you think of Berto`s resume?
VO - "I`m not impressed, Berto has fought no one and has struggled with the southpaws he`s faced in the past like Urango and Collazo."
TBO - What would a win set up in the future?
VO - "I`m just concentrating on Saturday night and getting My belt, after that we`ll see. I should be able to get fights with the Mayweathers and Pacquiaos of the division."
TBO - Who do you like in the Pacquiao/ Mosley fight next month?
VO - I cant pick a winner, they are both My boys!"
It should be a fantastic fight on Saturday night in Foxwoods, I am definately looking forward to it.
Joey Santana can be reached at: theboxingkidd@verizon.net
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