Sunrise, FL — Fighting for Haiti was the name of the card and the name of the game tonight for WBC Welterweight Champion Andre Berto. Berto 26-0 (20KO) retains his WBC strap with an exciting KO win over Carlos Quintana 27-3(21). Berto was able to fight through an early fight torn bicep muscle to overpower the southpaw Quintana.
Berto showed blazing speed right from the opening bell in round one however, was knocked down by the southpaw early, the clean shot was called a rabbit punch, and a knockdown was not credited.
In round 2 Quintana caught Berto with a big straight left that stunned the champ and turned the boxing match into a slugfest.
Round three found both fighters throwing mean shots and Berto catching Quintana with a clever left hook mid round and putting him on the ropes with a variety of body head shots. Quintana was deducted 1 point for hitting behind the head, which he did often.
Berto answered the bell of the fourth round with fast sharp punches, but kept the southpaw in front of him creating a power punch fest. Berto’s pressure served up intense infighting that produced a barrage of heavy shots.
The tempo was just as fierce in the 5th round with several exchanges as these two warriors battled for punching positioning by doing just that, punching. In the seventh Berto came out swinging hard and caught Quintana with some crisp shots all the while being the aggressor. In the eight came the end for Quintana, who was caught with a barrage of crushing right hands. Berto’s onslaught lasted a good minute before referee Tommy Kimmons called an end to the contest at 2:16 of the eighth round with a TKO accredited to Berto’s records. This was a great showing for Berto who is coming off close to a one year layoff. Berto, some may say looked less than perfect but Quintana’s unorthodox style can make a great fighter look average. Berto retained his WBC belt and looks to move up the ladder for a possible super fight in the near future.
“My knockout was pretty vicious,” said Berto. “It may open up their eyes a little bit. But then again they have to look at I’ve been off for a long time so it’s only going get better from here.”
The card, promoted as “Fighting for Haiti” due to, part of the proceeds will benefit the Haitian earthquake relief fund. Berto was born in Florida and his parents were born in Haiti. To help rebuild Haiti, Berto started the Berto Dynasty Foundation.
In the Co-Main Event featherweight Celestino Caballero 34-2 (23 Kos) of Panama city Panama claimed the WBA World title strap with a unanimous decision win over Daud “Cino” Yordan 25-1(19KO) hailing all the way from Indonesia. The longtime WBC and IBF champion Calallero dropped Yordan in the second as a result of a Yordan falling into sharp uppercut. Caballero used his height and reach well throughout the fight keeping the Indonesian fighter at the end of his sharp punches often throwing multi punch combinations at a high connect rate. Yordan found a home for a strong left hook, however not nearly enough as the Mexican’s punch output proved to be too much for Yordan. The twelfth round was wildly entertaining when Yordan stunned Caballero with a series of hard shots, but the attack was a little to late as Caballero weathered the late storm and captured the title with a unanimous decision with the cards reading 119-108 120-107 118-108.
Antwone Smith 18-1 (9kos) from Miami Florida took it to Franklin Gonzalez 13-5 (9kos) of the Dominican Republic in the 10 round welterweight fight. Smith, who often used a George Foreman-like infighting techniques, worked uppercuts and body shot throughout the fight. The end came at 2:40 in the third when Smith caught Gonzalez with a brutal liver shot which left Gonzalez on the canvas for some time after the bell.
Jonathan ‘El Conquistador” Cepeda 8-0 (7KO) from West Palm Beach dominated Shadrack Kipruto 18-15(10KO) with constant heavy shots from the opening bell. Kipruto was dropped in the first and rounds from constant pressure on the Kenyan fighter who looked off balance and awkward. A huge left hook finally ended the bout @2:31 of the second round.
In a very entertaining fight light welterweight Joseph Elegele 6-0(4KO) stopped the game and tough Mario Hayes with a straight left hand in the third round at 2:51. Hayes was also knocked down with a perfect left hook earlier in the 3rd which ultimately set up the KO. Elegele was the 2008 National Golden Gloves runner up, who lost a close and controversial decision to Danny O’Conner.
In a one sided Jr. Middle weight bout Yhudel Johnson 6-0 (4 KO’s) completely dominated Chris Grays 9-20(2KO) who got knocked down twice in the first round did not make it out of the first. Referee stoppage at 2:04.
In a great second fight of the night Willie Monroe (8-0 3ko’s) looked both the slicker and the more powerful puncher beating Ibaheim King 7-2 (2ko’s) to a decision in the six round fight. Scores were all 60-54 for Monroe.
In the first bout of the evening, Yunier Dorticos 4-0 (4ko’s) knocked Zack Ziegler 3-1 (2 KO’s) to his knees with a well placed liver shot at 1:24 in the first in a very one sided fight. Ziegler’s 3 wins must have some by way of Ragu container.
Notable boxing attendees where, Randall Bailey Andre Dirrell, Francisco Palascios, John Jackson, and more.
Johnny Schulz and Dan Stasiukiewicz reporting ringside.
Be sure to listen to the Sunday Sizzler at 4pm with interview from the winning fighters.
