by Rick Reeno

Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California - Robert Guerrero (31-1-1, 18KOs) proved that he's a full fledged welterweight and certainly a player at 147-pounds, as he scored two knockdowns to win a twelve round unanimous decision over Andre Berto (28-2, 22KOs) to retain the WBC interim-welterweight title. The scores were 116-110 across the board.

Guerrero started with the jab and was trying to come in with combinations to follow-up. In the final minute, Guerrero got in close and landed a series of punches to put Berto down. In the second round, Guerrero put Berto down for a second time with another series of puncehs against the ropes. Berto's right eye was badly swollen and cut underneath.

Berto was landing crisp hard shots in the next couple of rounds, but not enough and Guerrero was staying close and mauling him with activity. In the seventh, it appeared that Berto was once again in trouble against the ropes but he was able to fight his way out of trouble. At the end of the round it was clear that Berto's left eye was now swelling up.

In the ninth, Berto had his best round with vicious uppercuts on the inside. Guerrero showed his chin by taking the punches and staying on his feet. Both of Guerrero's eyes were swelling up as the tenth round started.

The eleventh was close with Guerrero being the busier fighter and staying on top of Berto at all times. Guerrero closed strong in the tweflth, throwing hard cominations. Berto was wearing down and hung in there. Guerrero and Berto continued to trade in the final ten seconds, with Guerrero appearing to stun Berto as he continued to go after Berto even after the bell.