» WHO YOU LIKE? Tomasz Adamak vs Vitali Klitschko. Post fight coverage from Tomasz Adamak vs Kevin McBride, Prudential Center Newark, NJ (4/9/11). Plus, Berto vs Ortiz and Hopkins vs Pascal comments from Jameel McCline • W39 (KO 23) L10 D3.

After weeks of junior welterweight matchup speculation, Victor Ortiz has agreed to fight Andre Berto on April 16 in the U.S. as part of a television doubleheader with Amir Khan-Paul McCloskey (U.K. bout), according to Ortiz’s manager, Roland Arellano.

Ortiz (28-2-2, KOs), the No. 9 junior welterweight (140-pounds), has agreed to a catch weight bout with Berto, the WBC welterweight champion, at 145 pounds plus one, or in effect 146 (one pound below welterweight limit).

“I’m so ready for Berto,” Ortiz said. “Actually, I don’t want to sound cocky, but Berto’s whole career just came to an end. From what I hear, he’s underestimating me because I’m a junior welterweight. I don’t know if he recalls being next to me, but I’m a lot bigger than he is.”

Although Ortiz has never fought heavier than 144 pounds, the Kansas-native appears to have no worries about the jump in weight class.

“No concerns whatsoever in speed, power or anything else,” Ortiz said.  “All I know is that I’m going to take the belt. In my eyes, Berto is overrated. He hasn’t been tested against a fighter such as myself.”

The site for the Berto-Ortiz bout has yet to be determined, Arellano disclosed, adding that the finalization will occur when he receives a contract from DiBella Entertainment, Berto’s promoter.

After his June 27, 2009 lose to Marcos Rene Maidana by technical knockout in the sixth round, Ortiz went on a four fight win streak, defeating Antonio Diaz, Hector Alatorre, Nate Campbell and Vivian Harris. Most recently, “Vicious” fought to draw against Lamont Peterson in Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV last December.

Berto (27-0, 21 KOs), currently riding a streak of five title defenses, last stopped Freddy Hernandez in the first round on Nov. 27.

—Alex Neely

(June 10, 2010) PARIS— Howard Schatz is named Photographer of the Year for the prestigious French photography competition Prix de la Photographie Paris for his work: Portraits of Boxers. Congratulation Howard! —LC

Howard Schatz: Photographer of the Year
http://www.px3.fr/winners/winners.php?compName=PX3+2010

» Berto takes on Juan Urango Saturday, May 30th.

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12 images from photographer Howard Schatz’s boxing book project have won the 2009 World Press Photo Contest in the Sports Feature Stories category. Check out Schatz’s work here!