In the main event of the bill titled “Fighting for Haiti”, WBC Champion Andre Berto (26-0, 20 KO) made a successful 4th defence against the Puerto Rican former WBO Champion Carlos Quintana (27-3, 21 KO) at the Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida, United States on Saturday 12th April 2010.
A portion of the ticket sales are going to benefit those affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Berto, who was born in the US but to Haitian parents, had been meant to fight ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley in January but the fight was cancelled due to Berto losing family and friends in the devastating earthquake. Berto entered the bout with Quintana not having fought in 11 months since his points victory over Juan Urango.
Southpaw Quintana, 33, who holds a points victory over Paul ‘The Punisher’ Williams, entered the fight as the underdog against the younger champion (26) and put up a dogged display throughout the bout against a fired up but rusty Berto. Quintana floored the Champion in the opening stanza but it was waved a a foul due to the punch landing around the back of the head. Berto also seemed off balance when the blow connected and was up immediately.
The fight was a scrappy affair full of wrestling on the inside and missed shots in the early rounds. Berto’s timing was off and Quintana landed several times to the back of the head. Indeed Carlos had a point deducted in the 3rd round for punching while Berto’s back was turned. Throughout the fight Andre forced the pace, the bout was a slugfest through out, though it was Quintana who was most effective on the inside.
The fifth round saw both men land big shots simultaneously but the power was with the Champion and he now had the momentum. The sixth was again akin to a wrestling match, and with Quintana 8lbs heavier by fight time it would seem to favour him. He won the round but picked up a cut. The bout was a gruelling, physical affair and both showed signs of fatigue from the halfway point.
Berto showed good accurate punching and used the jab to good effect to win the seventh round because of his cleaner punching.
In the eighth Berto sustained the pressure and landed many heavy shots for the majority of the time remaining. A straight right in the corner rocked Quintana’s head back and forced the referee Tommy Kimmons to stop the fight at the 2:16 mark. The referee could have possibly stepped in earlier as the Puerto Rican was shipping heavy punishment.
While not Andre Berto’s best performance, it was unsurprising given the emotion of the occasion and events outside the ring leading up to the bout. Still, Andre got a well deserved victory over the very capable former champion Quintana and can now push on to bigger and better things having shaken off the ring rust.
