Andre Berto (27-1, 21 KO) is back from his loss to Ortiz and set to challenge IBF title holder Dejan Zaveck (31-1, 18 KO) on Sept. 3 as an HBO main event.
Lou DiBella, Berto's promoter, has already confirmed that he has made a deal with Berto and a deal for Zaveck to come and fight in the U.S.
Not only will this be the first time Zaveck has defended his title outside of Slovenia, but it will also be the first time he'll be fighting in the U.S.—Zaveck has fought all of his fights in Europe with the exception of his title match, which was fought in South Africa.
Zaveck and Berto were to face each other last year in a unification bout, but HBO turned it down and had Berto face Ortiz instead.
Ortiz handed Berto his first professional loss, took Berto's WBC title, and is now facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what some are claiming to be the biggest fight of the year.
Most boxing fans outside of Europe have not heard of Zaveck. He's fairly fast with a considerable amount of power, but doesn't pack quite as much of a punch as the young Berto, and his resume is lacking quality opposition.
Zaveck's last opponent was Paul Delgado, whom Zaveck fought in a title defense in his home of Slovenia.
Delgado looked as though he shouldn't be anywhere near a title fight as Zaveck made quick work of him, disposing of him in the fifth round after knocking him down twice.
Berto hopes to regain another world title, redeem his loss against Ortiz—in which he didn't quite seem himself—and put his name out there once again for the big-money fights.
While Andre Berto is the sure-fire favorite to win the fight so far, we must always remember that anything can happen.
This wouldn't be the first time an underdog came through with an upset this year.
Interestingly enough though, the opponent has already been chosen for the winner of this fight.
According to ESPN, no matter who wins the fight, the next opponent for the winner of Zaveck and Berto will be Randall Bailey (41-7, 36 KO).
Bailey is the mandatory challenger for the title and stepped aside so that the two could fight each other. He'll be on the untelevized undercard of the fight.
If Bailey can win his fight, he'll be the next opponent for either Berto or Zaveck.
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