Andre Berto tops Greatest Hits with 2011 Fight of the Year

3 vs. Miguel Angel Rodriguez, June 21, 2008, at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee

The first world championship is always a sweet one, and Berto captured his by stopping Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the seventh round—including landing a shot that he’s still justifiably proud of.

“I hit him the round before I stopped him, with an uppercut people still talk about that knocked him down,” Berto said.

2 vs. David Estrada, September 29, 2007, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Before the Rodriguez fight and the hardware that came with it, Berto had to prove himself a viable contender. As he was climbing the 147-pound ranks he put his 19-0 record on the line against David Estrada, performing in front of the cameras for the first time.

“My fight with David Estrada was probably my first real test on major TV, on HBO,” Berto said. “He pushed me to the limit, but I ended up knocking him out in the 11th round. I think that was the fight that showed people the new kid has arrived.”

1 vs. Victor Ortiz, April 16, 2011, at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut

Berto was cruising along in the 147-pound division at 27-0 when he squared off with Victor Ortiz, who at 28-2-2 was a talented, dangerous fighter in his own right. Unfortunately for Berto, he hurt his shoulder in the early going. Both fighters went down twice in the brawl, including an epic sixth round that saw both boxers hit the mat, but the injury was just too much for Berto to overcome.

“I had my first loss, but it won [The Ring’s] Fight of the Year,” Berto said. "It was something I ended up going through, and something I had to come back from.”