Ortiz vs. Berto 2 Lands at the Staples Center June 23rd!

At long last, the rematch of 2011’s Fight of the Year between former World Champions “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto originally scheduled for February 11 in Las Vegas, but postponed when Berto sustained an arm injury on January 30, has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 23 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, this time for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship. In the co-main event, scheduled for 12 rounds in the super lightweight division, former Three Division World Champion Humberto Soto squares off against Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse. The doubleheader will be telecast live on SHOWTIME.

As agreed to when the fight was scheduled for February, both fighters will be subject to Olympic style drug testing which will be administered by the Volunteer Anti-Doping Association (VADA) and will include random blood and urine tests.

“I will not underestimate Andre Berto because of his injury,” said Ortiz. “I hope and expect a new and improved Andre Berto. I am training for the greatest Andre Berto ever. I want to give the fans the best fight because that’s what they expect from both of us. I am going to be World Champ again, there is no doubt about that. There is only one option for me…victory!”

“The arm is feeling great and I’m ready to get in there and handle some unfinished business on June 23,” said Berto. “This is guaranteed to be an explosive fight that you don’t want to miss. Los Angeles has become a second home to me, so I’m excited to perform for all the fans at STAPLES Center this summer.”

“It’s been a long wait since February, but I’m glad that we’re finally going to see this rematch between two of boxing’s top young stars,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Ortiz and Berto went to war the first time and I’m expecting the same scenario to play out this time. These boxers only know one way to fight and that’s moving forward, which means we’re in for another great battle.”

“Berto-Ortiz I was a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate and boxing fans can expect more of the same in this fight,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “It was unfortunate that Andre suffered the injury and the rematch had to be postponed, but we are happy that we were able to reschedule this much anticipated fight and are looking forward to another great night on June 23.”

“Ortiz vs. Berto II: The Rematch,” is the highly anticipated 12-round welterweight rematch of USA Today and Ring Magazine’s 2011 Fight of the Year between former World Champions “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship which will take place Saturday, June 23 at at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The co-feature will see former Three-Division World Champion Humberto “Zorrita” Sotobattle Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse in a 12-round super lightweight fight presented in association with Baja Boxing Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. The double-header will be telecast live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50, are available for purchase online at www.staplescenter.com and www.ticketmaster.com or via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available at STAPLES Center box office beginning Tuesday, April 17.