By Mark Vester

At the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, Andre Berto (26-0, 20KOs) knocked out former champion Carlos Quintana (27-3, 21KOs) in the eight round to retain his WBC welterweight title. 

Berto seemed to get shaken up early in early going of the first round. He came right back with quick combinations to push Quintana back. Quintana started coming back with better counter shots in the second round. Berto seemed to get shaken again by the counters. Berto came out with his quick combinations in the third. He was busting Quintana up against the ropes. His hands were too fast. Quintana lost a point for a punch that landed behind Berto's head.

The fourth was a bit slow in the first minute but Berto started getting off with a lot of punches every time he trapped Quintana against the ropes. In the fifth, there was a moment when both fighters landed hard punches at the same time with Quintana getting the worst of it. Berto jumped on him with multiple combinations to close a strong round. In the sixth round, the fight was closer with Berto landing some good punches at the end but Quintana did the better work for most of the three minutes.

There seemed to be some talk that Berto hurt his left bicep before the start of the seventh round.

Berto was too fast and his punches were too hard on Quintana. Berto swept the seventh and then unloaded on Quintana in the eight. He rocked Quintana with a combination and this time he stayed on him with punches from every possible angle. He landed a massive right on Quintana's face as the Puerto Rican fighter was against the ropes. The ref quickly jumped in to save Quintana.