Andre Berto, Celestino Caballero Impress in Florida
Choosing to step out of a unification contest with WBA Welterweight titlist Shane Mosley in January to focus attention on the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, 26-year old ethnic Haitian Andre Berto (26-0, 20 KO) of Winterhaven, Florida returned to the ring for the first time since May 2009, successfully defending his WBC belt for the fourth time with an eighth round stoppage of 33-year old former WBO Welterweight titlist Carlos Quintana (27-3, 21 KO) on Saturday night at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. Both men weighed in a half pound below the Welterweight limit of 147 lbs. Berto was down at the end of a left hand before a minute had passed in the fight but referee Tommy Kimmons ruled it a slip and Berto complained it had landed behind the head. The southpaw Quintana was calm before and after, leaning to his back foot and waiting for countering opportunities while Berto sought to move in and out with quick contact shots. Berto complained twice more of rabbit punches and Quintana was warned after the round. Replays did not clearly show a foul.