Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto II: The PBC returns to Fox tonight in prime time. Headlining that card will be a 12-round welterweight rematch between Victor Ortiz (31-5-2, 24 KO) and Andre Berto (30-4, 23 KO) whose 2011 fight was an instant classic that featured a total of four knockdowns and had the late great Emanuel Steward, who was broadcasting the fight, nearly lose his mind with excitement. In 2011 both prizefighters were near the top of their games and Berto had never lost until the scores were read after that fight, giving Ortiz the unanimous decision win. Since then things have not gone very well for either man, although both did get a fight and a massive payday against Floyd Mayweather. Most will remember that Mayweather knocked Ortiz out after Ortiz forgot the most important rule in the ring; protect yourself at all times. Berto didn't do much better against Mayweather, losing a mile-wide unanimous decision. Now against each other both men look for redemption and to get back on track. Ortiz is a southpaw with good power and he likes to fight behind his jab. Following that jab Ortiz likes to work his straight left hand which is a good punch. He also uses a right hook which is solid but far from elite. Where Ortiz has struggled is defensively. In his five career losses four have come by the way of knockout and the only one that didn't is a fight where he was disqualified. Also, Ortiz has a reputation, fair or not, for being a quitter. At times when fights get tough Ortiz seems disinterested as was the case in his knockout loss at the hands of Luis Collazo. Ortiz does need a win over a name opponent though. In his last seven fights he has gone 3-3-1, at one point losing three fights in a row before stringing two consecutive wins together against outmatched opposition. Berto is an orthodox fighter and he is slightly smaller than Ortiz both in height and reach. While both fighters have good power Berto may be the bigger puncher and he definitely has the better chin, only being knocked out once in four career losses. Berto also likes to fight behind his jab and he will bring a wild but powerful right hand behind it. One big question mark going into this fight is the current condition of Berto. He hasn't fought since losing to Mayweather last year and he may have relaxed a bit and enjoyed himself after earning a career high payday. Still, in recent fights Ortiz's heart has been questioned so if this fight resembles their first bout he may look for a way out. This fight may not be as good as the first, especially considering where both men are in their careers now but it still should be entertaining. Both men need a win but Berto has been better lately and he will work his way to a split decision victory.
Edwin Rodriguez vs. Thomas Williams Jr.: The co-feature on Fox's PBC card should also provide fans with plenty of excitement. That bout features Edwin Rodriguez (28-1, 19 KO) taking on Thomas Williams Jr. (19-1, 13 KO). That fight is scheduled to go 10 rounds in the light heavyweight division and should be fun since both pugilists like to mix it up. The lone blemish on Rodriguez's record came at the hands of Andre Ward but since that loss Rodriguez has gone 4-0 with three knockouts. Meanwhile in Williams' last five fights he has gone 4-1 but he really got worked in that loss and quit on his stool and in that stretch of fights he has been knocked down twice. Rodriguez is an orthodox fighter with good power who loves to start early. In his last fight though he got too wild and was dropped twice in the very first round and looked like he was on the verge of being stopped. Somehow he was able to rebound to drop his opponent twice, knocking him out in the third round. When he is confident Rodriguez won't jab much and instead comes in behind wide left hooks and wild straight right hands. On the inside Rodriguez will also let loose with overhand rights and while all of his punches can do damage they all tend to be wild. Across the ring will be Thomas who is a southpaw who also starts very fast. He too throws wide, wild punches and they come in the form of a right hook and looping overhand left. The problem with Williams is the same one Rodriguez has, not only do both of their punches come in wide but they don't always protect their chin when they're throwing their hands. When it comes to resumes Rodriguez's has the bigger names on it and he has shown more ability than Williams has during his career. This should be a great appetizer for the main event but it won't last long as Rodriguez scores the fourth round knockout to run his winning streak to five.
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