Berto batters Quintana

April 11th, 2010

Undefeated welterweight Andre Berto (26-0, 20 KO's) retained his world title with an 8th round TKO of former titleholder Carlos Quintana (27-3, 21 KO's) Saturday night at the Bank Atlantic Center in Berto's home state of Florida.

Berto, a Winterhaven resident of Haitian descent, was fighting for the first time since his families homeland was ravaged by a devastating earthquake that took many lives and left countless survivors homeless.

"The (Haitian) people stay strong, so I stay strong for them", Berto said afterwards in a postfight interview.

Berto got off to a somewhat rocky start. In the opening round, Quintana landed a hooking shot behind Berto's ear that put him on the canvas. However, it was ruled a slip and did not count as an official knockdown.

Quintana's success would only last through the second round. From there on, Berto imposed his will on the Puerto Rican rocking him and forcing him to clinch to survive on many occasions. Making this all the more impressive was that Berto suffered a bicep injury early in the fight that he said he believes is torn.

"I let the bicep numb and got it out of my mind", Berto said. He believes the injury occurred in either round two or three.

In the 8th, Berto hurt Quintana early and battered him all over the ring. Quintana never went down and did everything he could to remain upright. However, at 2:16 of the frame the referee intervened to wave off the fight.

It was Berto's 4th consecutive successful defense of his welterweight belt.