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The Al Haymon takeover continues as Premier Boxing Champions debuts on Spike TV, coming just six nights following its official launch with its March 7 edition on NBC.
Tonight's show comes live from Citizens Bank Business Arena in Ontario, California. Headlining the event, former welterweight titlist Andre Berto looks to pick up the pieces of his career as he takes on veteran spoiler Josesito Lopez, who has been in a holding pattern in recent years following key upsets and brutal losses.
Berto (29-3, 22KOs) enjoyed a successful ring return last September, outpointing Steve Upsher Chambers for his first win in three years. The muscular Floridian - who honored his parents' heritage in representing Haiti during the 2004 Athens Olympics - never quite rebounded from his title-losing effort to Victor Ortiz in their April '11 war, hitting a career slide that saw him suffer three brutal losses in a four-fight span.
Additionally, Berto was also forced to ride out a suspension after getting popped for a banned substance during pre-fight testing that canceled his planned 2012 rematch with Ortiz. In-ring punishment and injuries have slowed his career to a halt, though beginning with last year's win in Cincinnati comes hope at a rebirth.
Lopez (33-6, 19KOs) has earned a reputation as a spoiler, emerging from a rough career start to bump off - or at least bruise up - several prospects and contenders along the way. The best stretch of his career saw the Californian score wins over Marvin Cordova Jr. (21-1-1 at the time) and then-unbeaten Mike Dallas Jr., suffer a debatable points loss to unbeaten Jessie Vargas, and of course his career-best win, rallying from behind to force Victor Ortiz to quit on his stool due to a broken jaw and additional punishment after nine rounds.
With the win over Ortiz came Lopez' biggest fight of his career, albeit a fight that came with an ill-advised climb up the scales as he was led to slaughter by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in their Sept. '12 junior middleweight bout. A return to a more suitable weight didn't entirely help, as his brave showing versus Marcos Maidana resulted in a second-straight knockout loss.
Three straight wins have followed for Lopez, although none that suggest he's all the way back among the best welterweights in the world.
Lopez has a chance to claim yet another notable scalp and remain head above water for at least one more fight. Berto is in dire need of a big win if he has any designs of ever returning to the title picture.
Who wants it more? You'll have to tune in to Spike TV to find out (Friday, 9:00pm ET). Until then, read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the PBC on Spike TV headliner plays out. [Click Here To Read More]
Tonight's show comes live from Citizens Bank Business Arena in Ontario, California. Headlining the event, former welterweight titlist Andre Berto looks to pick up the pieces of his career as he takes on veteran spoiler Josesito Lopez, who has been in a holding pattern in recent years following key upsets and brutal losses.
Berto (29-3, 22KOs) enjoyed a successful ring return last September, outpointing Steve Upsher Chambers for his first win in three years. The muscular Floridian - who honored his parents' heritage in representing Haiti during the 2004 Athens Olympics - never quite rebounded from his title-losing effort to Victor Ortiz in their April '11 war, hitting a career slide that saw him suffer three brutal losses in a four-fight span.
Additionally, Berto was also forced to ride out a suspension after getting popped for a banned substance during pre-fight testing that canceled his planned 2012 rematch with Ortiz. In-ring punishment and injuries have slowed his career to a halt, though beginning with last year's win in Cincinnati comes hope at a rebirth.
Lopez (33-6, 19KOs) has earned a reputation as a spoiler, emerging from a rough career start to bump off - or at least bruise up - several prospects and contenders along the way. The best stretch of his career saw the Californian score wins over Marvin Cordova Jr. (21-1-1 at the time) and then-unbeaten Mike Dallas Jr., suffer a debatable points loss to unbeaten Jessie Vargas, and of course his career-best win, rallying from behind to force Victor Ortiz to quit on his stool due to a broken jaw and additional punishment after nine rounds.
With the win over Ortiz came Lopez' biggest fight of his career, albeit a fight that came with an ill-advised climb up the scales as he was led to slaughter by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in their Sept. '12 junior middleweight bout. A return to a more suitable weight didn't entirely help, as his brave showing versus Marcos Maidana resulted in a second-straight knockout loss.
Three straight wins have followed for Lopez, although none that suggest he's all the way back among the best welterweights in the world.
Lopez has a chance to claim yet another notable scalp and remain head above water for at least one more fight. Berto is in dire need of a big win if he has any designs of ever returning to the title picture.
Who wants it more? You'll have to tune in to Spike TV to find out (Friday, 9:00pm ET). Until then, read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the PBC on Spike TV headliner plays out. [Click Here To Read More]
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