Andre Berto retained his World Boxing Council welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Colombia’s Juan Urango on Saturday night. The undefeated Berto’s quickness frustrated Urango throughout their bout at the Hard Rock Live Arena. Preferring to keep his distance, Berto landed repeatedly with lead left jabs to the head, and also was effective with rights to the head. Urango continued to pursue Berto, but only found quick lefts and rights to the head for his strategy. The crowd became bored with an action-lacking ninth, booing during what appeared a round in which Berto reduced his punch volume while Urango (21-2) kept chasing the defensive-minded champion. Berto picked up the pace in the final three rounds and again landed lead rights to the head. Although he moved up to the 147-pound welterweight class, Urango retains the International Boxing Federation junior-welterweight title he won Jan. 30. Berto weighed 145 pounds for Saturday’s bout, one less than Urango.
PHOTO CREDIT: NAOKI FUKUDA
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