LOS ANGELES — Andre Berto, Josesito Lopez and Shawn Porter are all thrilled to be a part of the second show for Premier Boxing Champions, the high-profile endeavor designed to put their sport in front of new audiences and television networks.
The veteran boxers also realize the showcase is only as good as their performances.
"It doesn't matter if we're fighting in front of an amazing production or we fight on the street," Berto said. "We're going to go ahead and put these fireworks in."
Berto (29-3, 22 KOs), the former WBC welterweight champion, headlines Friday night's show in Ontario, California, against Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs) in a matchup of two entertaining fighters hoping to bounce back from recent struggles.
The card at Citizens Business Bank Arena east of Los Angeles also showcases former 147-pound champion Porter (24-1-1, 15 KOs) in a tough matchup with Roberto Garcia (36-3, 23 KOs). Earlier, former heavyweight title contender Chris Arreola returns against Curtis Harper.
After getting ample attention and decent TV ratings in its NBC debut, the PBC series really gets down to business on Spike TV. For impresario Al Haymon's time-buys on various networks to have a lasting impact on the way boxing is sold, the fights must be entertaining enough to turn accidental viewers into fans.
So Haymon has matched two contenders with all-action styles in need of a career boost. Both Berto and Lopez believe a victory will put them right back in contention for titles and bigger paydays.
"I think what makes this fight exciting is that we both have a lot to lose and a lot to gain," Lopez said. "When the fight was announced, every fan that knows boxing knows that this is going to be a fight that's going to be talked about for a long time, because I feel like we're in the same position. We both have a lot to gain from it, and we're both not willing to take a step back."
