Jan Zaveck vs. Andre Berto

Jan Zaveck vs. Andre Berto was a professional boxing match contested on September 3, 2011, for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title.[1] The fight took place at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi, United States on September 3, 2011 and was televised via HBO's Boxing After Dark.[2]

Battle In Biloxi
DateSeptember 3, 2011
VenueBeau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
Title(s) on the lineIBF welterweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Slovenia Jan Zaveck United States Andre Berto
Nickname "Mr. Sympathikus" "The Beast"
Hometown Ptuj, Styria, Slovenia Miami, Florida, U.S.
Pre-fight record 31–1 (18 KO) 27–1 (21 KO)
Age 35 years, 5 months 27 years, 11 months
Height 5 ft 7+12 in (171 cm) 5 ft 8+12 in (174 cm)
Weight 146+12 lb (66 kg) 146+34 lb (67 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition IBF
Welterweight Champion
The Ring
No. 4 ranked welterweight
IBF
No. 9 ranked welterweight
The Ring
No. 3 ranked welterweight
Former WBC welterweight champion
Result
Berto defeats Zaveck via 5th round RTD.

Background

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After discussions to fight Paulie Malignaggi on the Canelo Álvarez vs. Ryan Rhodes undercard fell through,[3] 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."[4]

The fight

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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.[5]

Aftermath

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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.[6]

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.[7] However, after Berto tested positive for a banned substance, the rematch against Ortiz planned for June 23, 2012, was cancelled.[8]

Undercard

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Confirmed bouts:[9]

Televised

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Berto defeats Zaveck via Technical Knockout (Retirement) at 3:00 of round five.
Russell Jr. defeats Miranda via Unanimous Decision. (80-72, 80-72, 79-72)

Preliminary card

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Oosthuizen defeats Pryor Jr. via Unanimous Decision. (117-111, 117-111, 117-111)
Bailey defeats Estrella via Unanimous Decision. (100-89, 100-89, 98-91)
Del Valle defeats Napunyi via Technical Knockout at 1:21 of round three.
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

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Country Broadcaster
  Hungary Sport 2
  Slovenia TV Slovenia
  Sweden Viasat
  United States HBO

References

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  1. ^ "Jan Zaveck vs. Andre Berto". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. ^ HBO: Boxing. HBO.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-31.
  3. ^ "Dejan Zavec - Paul Malignaggi 18 czerwca?" [Dejan Zavec - Paul Malignaggi June 18?] (in Slovenian). Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  4. ^ Dan Rafael (2 September 2011). "Andre Berto reboots against Jan Zaveck". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Andre Berto Stops Jan Zaveck After Five". badlefthook.com. Bad Left Hook. 4 September 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  6. ^ Martin, Henry. "Andre Berto Wins IBF Title: A Look into the Fight and the Future of the Two". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  7. ^ Christ, Scott (November 23, 2011). "Victor Ortíz vs Andre Berto Rematch: Lou DiBella Says Fight Is On". Bad Left Hook.com. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  8. ^ "Andre Berto tests positive". ESPN.com. May 28, 2012.
  9. ^ "BoxRec - event".
Preceded by
vs. Paul Delgado
Jan Zaveck's bouts
3 September 2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Andre Berto's bouts
3 September 2011
Succeeded by