Jan Zaveck vs. Andre Berto was a professional boxing match contested on 3 September 2011, for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title. The fight took place at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi, United States on 3 September 2011 and was televised via HBO's Boxing After Dark.HBO: Boxing. HBO.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-31.
Background After discussions to fight Paulie Malignaggi on the Canelo Álvarez vs. Ryan Rhodes undercard fell through, Zaveck traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi to face Andre Berto who had just lost the WBC welterweight title to Victor Ortiz.
Zaveck expressed the hope that a victory in his US debut would boost his career saying that "A win over someone like Berto will elevate me to a whole new level. Just like everyone else, I want to fight Mayweather and [Manny] Pacquiao, and I see this fight as my golden opportunity to make that happen."
The fight Despite being a 4-to-1 underdog coming into the fight, Zaveck proved competitive; trading clean punches with Berto and earning praise from HBO's Roy Jones Jr. In the fifth round, a number of cuts opened on Zavec's face, which resulted in Zaveck's corner waiving the fight off before the sixth round.
Aftermath Berto thanked the Slovenian fans for traveling over to America to cheer their countryman on. He would call his performance "so-so", despite becoming a two-time welterweight champion.
Just over two months later he would vacate his IBF title rather than face mandatory challenger Randall Bailey in order to facilitate a rematch with Ortiz. However, after Berto tested positive for a banned substance, the rematch against Ortiz planned for June 23, 2012, was cancelled.
Undercard Confirmed bouts:
Televised WBC welterweight title bout: Dejan Zaveck vs. Andre Berto Berto defeats Zaveck via Technical Knockout (Retirement) at 3:00 of round five.
Featherweight bout: Gary Russell Jr. vs. Leonilo Miranda Russell Jr. defeats Miranda via Unanimous Decision. (80-72, 80-72, 79-72)
Preliminary card Super middleweight bout: Thomas Oosthuizen vs. Aaron Pryor Jr. Oosthuizen defeats Pryor Jr. via Unanimous Decision. (117-111, 117-111, 117-111)
Welterweight bout: Randall Bailey vs. Yoryi Estrella Bailey defeats Estrella via Unanimous Decision. (100-89, 100-89, 98-91)
Featherweight bout: Luis Del Valle vs. Anthony Napunyi Del Valle defeats Napunyi via Technical Knockout at 1:21 of round three.
Light welterweight bout: Ivan Redkach vs. Vernon Alston Redkach defeats Alston via Technical Knockout at 1:57 of round three.
Light middleweight bout: Gerald Jordan vs. Sergio Vartanov Jordan defeats Vartanov via Split Decision. (59-54, 58-55, 56-58)
Broadcasting Country Broadcaster Sport 2 TV Slovenia Viasat HBO
References