Andre Berto stops Josesito Lopez inside six rounds
Saturday 14 March 2015 12:37, UK
Andre Berto stopped Josesito Lopez inside six rounds to win the interim WBA welterweight title in Ontario, California.
The former WBC and IBF champion knocked down Lopez twice in the sixth round to get his career firmly back on track with his second straight victory following consecutive defeats.
Lopez started strongly in front of his local fans on Friday night, but Florida fighter Berto showed off his power and hand speed in a good third round.
After staggering Lopez early in the sixth round, Berto connected with a right hand to the temple and sent his taller opponent sprawling.
The 30-year-old beat the count but went down again in another corner, prompting referee Raul Caiz Jr. to step in and wave the fight off.
Lopez and trainer Henry Ramirez argued vociferously against the stoppage, but Berto leaped onto the ropes to celebrate a win that could put him back in contention for big-money bouts.
"I just knew that he was getting off some shots, and I knew I was in his hometown," Berto said.
"I knew they were probably giving him some rounds, but as a fighter, you have to see your opponent. We've got 12 rounds, and I'm going to get you. After round by round, I could tell he was slowing down, and eventually I was going to get him."
Former welterweight champion Shawn Porter bounced back from losing his IBF crown to Kell Brook with a stoppage victory over Erick Bone.
Bone (16-2) stepped in as a late replacement after Roberto Garcia missed weight Thursday night, but found Porter too strong.
Porter knocked down Bone with a body shot in the fifth and ended the fight shortly afterwards when a right hand sent the late stand-in tumbling under the ropes to end it.
Former title contender Chris Arreola won a narrow unanimous decision over unknown Curtis Harper in a wild bout between two hefty heavyweights.
Arreola (36-4) had a harrowing night in his return from a loss to Bermane Stiverne for the WBC title last May.
Harper (12-4), who took the fight one week ago, got knocked down and nearly finished in the first round.
However, Harper recovered and eventually tagged Arreola with numerous unblocked punches in an entertaining brawl, repeatedly staggering the iron-chinned favourite.
Both fighters weighed in over 262 pounds for the bout and tired visibly after the opening flurries, yet they made it through all eight rounds to wild applause.
