More at stake in the Berto vs. Quintana Fight Than the WBC Welterweight Title
On Saturday, April 10th at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., WBC World Welterweight Champion Andre Berto will defend his title against former WBO champion Carlos Quintana. This is Berto’s first bout since last May when he successfully defended his title with a 12-round decision over Juan Urango.
The card is being billed as “Fighting For Haiti” which is being promoted by DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Champs Sports, Where Sports Lives, will be televised “LIVE” on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30pm (ET) / 7:30pm (PT). The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD.
The co-feature will showcase WBA Junior Featherweight champion Celestino Caballero (33-2, 23 KO’s), who will be moving up to take on unbeaten WBA #2 contender Daud Yordan (25-0, 19 KO’s). Caballero is the former Unified Junior Featherweight champion. Yordan is the WBO Oriental Featherweight champion, his title won’t be on the line. Two time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, Guillermo Rigondeaux (5-0, 4 KO’s) will also appear on the undercard.
Berto (25-0, 19 KO’s) now faces Carlos Quintana (27-2-0, 21 KO’s), who was born and still resides in Moca, Puerto Rico. Quintana is a hard throwing southpaw who likes to challenge fighters by coming straight at them. Berto, who also punches hard and is lightning quick, has to be careful and dictate the fight from the start. In February of 2008, Quintana was a huge underdog, and upset then-WBO champion Paul Williams. Quintana lost the rematch. Since 2005 he has fought three unbeaten fighters scoring two victories, with the only loss coming to Miguel Cotto.
“He’s a tough veteran,” Berto said. “If you give him too much room or a little too much confidence he will take advantage of that. You have to impose your dominance early.” Berto knows he can’t take Quintana for granted, though he was surprised by the Williams loss, which he saw in person. However, Berto feels there is much to gain in the welterweight division with a victory on April 10th.
“I’m in a tough situation. Realistically I train hardest when a lot of people expect me to win. He’s a spoiler and he did the same with Paul Williams and I have to make sure I stay sharp and do a good job and dispose of him,” said Berto. “Andre Berto and Carlos Quintana represent two of the very best fighters in the world,” said DiBella. “They are willing to risk it all to fight each other. And for the winner another boxing great, the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., or Shane Mosley could await.”
Berto was scheduled to face veteran “Sugar” Shane Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion in January 2010, but the earthquake in Haiti, forced him to withdraw from the bout. Berto went to Haiti to provide aide and find his sister and ensure her safety. “My brother Cleveland and I made a trip there a couple of weeks after the earthquake,” Berto said. “We lost eight family members in the earthquake, but my family is in good spirits and they continue to support me. The devastation that affected Haiti impacted the world. It is inspiring to see so many people show support and lend a helping hand.”
Tickets for “Fighting For Haiti” are on sale now through Ticketmaster (1.800.745.3000) or visiting, www.ticketmaster.com and BankAtlantic Center Box Office (1.954.835-7000) www.bankatlanticenter.com. Tickets are priced at $250, $100, $65, and $35. VIP Ringside tickets are available for private sale for $500 by calling DiBella Entertainment (1.212.947.2577) www.dbe1.com.
About Berto Dynasty Foundation
Andre Berto founded the Berto Dynasty Foundation in February to help raise money for those affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti and plans to use the funds to support several initiatives, including: Project Medishare, temporary housing for those who lost their homes and the rebuilding of schools and orphanages. The Berto Dynasty Foundation is currently partnering with Westmark School in Encino, California, to help adopt a school in Haiti and connect the Westmark students with youngsters in Haiti. A portion of the proceeds from tickets sold for the April 10th event “Fighting For Haiti” at the BankAtlantic Center will go to the Berto Dynasty Foundation, benefitting Project Medishare. All proceeds are tax deductible. For more information, visit www.andreberto.com .
About Project Medishare
Dr. Barth Green and Dr. Arthur Fournier founded Project Medishare for Haiti, Inc. in 1994 to assess the health care situation in Haiti and explore ways to improve the health conditions of the people in Haiti. Since that first trip, Project Medishare has forged partnerships with physicians and allied health professionals with a strong belief in social justice and that everyone has the right to quality healthcare and development services. Project Medishare currently has the largest hospital on the ground in Haiti and has been providing critical medical care to those affected by the earthquake since it hit. Andre and his brother, Cleveland, traveled to Haiti with Project Medishare 12 days after the disaster and provided assistance to Project Medishare’s outstanding medical staff. For more information, visit www.projectmedishare.org .
Berto vs. Quintana Quotes:
Berto on Quintana: “He’s a tough veteran and if you give him too much room or a little too much confidence, he will take advantage of that. You have to impose your dominance early.”
DiBella on the Berto vs. Quintana Match-up: “Andre Berto and Carlos Quintana represent two of the very best fighters in the world. They are willing to risk it all to fight each other. And for the winner another boxing great, the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., or Shane Mosley could await.”
