Berto Ditches IBF Belt, Focuses on Ortiz Rematch

A little over two months after winning the IBF welterweight title from Jan Zaveck via fifth round stoppage, Andre Berto has voluntarily vacated the belt in anticipation of a proposed January rematch with Victor Ortiz.

Berto and Ortiz last met in April with Ortiz capturing Berto’s WBC title via unanimous decision victory in an entertaining contest full of intrigue, ebbs and flows in action, and two knockdowns apiece.

The decision to vacate comes as a result of HBO’s unwillingness to purchase a bout with Berto against IBF mandatory challenger, Randall Bailey.

Bailey, a former junior welterweight world titlist and current 16th ranked welterweight in The Boxing Tribune World Rankings, will now likely face the winner of the December 3, Mike Jones-Sebastian Lujan IBF eliminator.

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