Victor Ortiz shocks Berto for WBC title

Even in a sport teaming with fighters from rough backgrounds, “Vicious” Victor Ortiz has had it rough.

Abandoned at a young age, he found himself homeless as a teenager and dependent on boxing to provide him with a place in the world. But upon turning professional even that sanctuary turned its back on him after he had the temerity to refuse to continue taking a merciless pounding at the hands of Marcos Maidana almost two years ago.

Since then Ortiz has been belittled and dismissed as lacking heart by people who have never even set foot in the ring. The act of resignation, even when prudent, is so contemptible in the eyes of these scribes that every move Ortiz has made since has been dogged by allusions to him quitting that bout. But no more.

Saturday night at Foxwoods Victor Ortiz triumphed over WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto in spectacular fashion, cementing himself as a star of the sport and firmly ending any questions about his intestinal fortitude.

Ortiz stunned Berto with a heavy left in the first round that rocked the champ and appeared to discombobulate him over the next several rounds. The Haitian showed his mettle by rallying to score a flash knockdown in the second round and appeared to be growing stronger in the sixth when he blasted Ortiz again with a picture-perfect right, sending him down again and seemingly turning the tide of the fight.

Sensing his opportunity Berto moved in as Ortiz retreated into the corner and began unleashing power punches with the worst of intentions. Ortiz staggered and the ref appeared poised to stop the fight, when a sudden counter-left hook by Ortiz found Berto’s chin and the champ dropped like a stone.

Berto found his feet in time to hear the bell ring before collapsing on the stool but his belief never returned. Ortiz’s refusal to capitulate had unnerved the undefeated fighter and his lack of previous experience in wars such as this one had left him ignorant as to how to respond and persevere.

Ortiz looked as if his debut at 147 lbs. was long overdue; he showed off tremendous power and good speed while avoiding the late-round fade that has marred his recent performances.