Today marks the two-year anniversary of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti, leaving the country devastated and in shambles, but for former two-time welterweight champion Andre Berto, who will be squaring off against “Vicious” Victor Ortiz on February 11 in a rematch of one of the best fights of 2011, it still seems like just yesterday.
After the earthquake hit, Berto, who tragically lost multiple family members, cancelled his then upcoming title fight against “Sugar” Shane Mosley and traveled to Haiti to help in the relief effort. Berto spent weeks in Haiti before returning back to the States and resuming his professional career.
In commemoration of the two year anniversary of the 2010 Haitian earthquake, Andre Berto, Victor Ortiz, Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment are teaming up to continue in assisting the relief effort in Haiti by offering a 10% discount on all tickets for Ortiz vs. Berto II from Thursday, January 12 at 10:00 p.m. PT until Thursday, January 19 at 10:00 p.m. PT for customers purchasing through Ticketmaster who use the code HAITI2 and donating 10% of all ticket sales generated by the code to Haiti Relief.
“It makes me smile from ear to ear to see the growing progress in Haiti and knowing that I am a part of it. Every day that I train makes it all worth it because I know it will give me a platform through my fights to continue to bring awareness to Haiti. I don’t want to be one of those people who just ‘talk.’ I want to be one of the people that actually steps up and does something, and that’s what I am going to continue to do,” said Berto.
“Andre made a commitment to Haiti immediately after the earthquake and he has put his heart, time and energy behind his promises. We at DiBella Entertainment are proud of him and his efforts,” said Lou DiBella, Berto’s promoter.
“Two years ago, the world watched in horror as Haiti was devastated by a natural disaster of unimaginable proportion,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar de la Hoya. “We have not forgotten and are pleased to be able to do our part to help the people of Haiti to continue to recover.”
Berto’s efforts have continued since the earthquake, including most recently when Berto made a large donation to the charitable organization, Generosity Water, that enabled two water wells to be built providing drinking water for thousands of Haitians.
Following his return from Haiti, Berto defended his WBC title twice, including an impressive eighth-round TKO over former champion Carlos Quintana, before taking on Victor Ortiz on April 12, at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. In one of the best fights of 2011, Berto lost his WBC Championship to Ortiz, in a bout where both fighters twice tasted the canvas, with each going down in the memorable sixth round.
Like his home country, however, when faced with adversity, Berto has bounced back. In September, Berto reclaimed a piece of the Welterweight crown with an impressive fifth round TKO stoppage over IBF Champion, Jan Zaveck. Now Berto and Ortiz are set to square off again in the first major boxing event of 2012.
“Ortiz vs. Berto II: Repeat or Revenge” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment. Tickets, priced at $300, $150, $100 and $50, are now on sale and are available at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) per person when using the HAITI2 discount code. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
