Sep 28, 2008 - 3:07 AM
0 shoutsLOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Andre Berto proved he is ready for better competition.
The WBC welterweight champion was successful in his first title defense on Saturday, earning a unanimous decision over Steve Forbes at the Home Depot Center.
The scores were 118-109, 118-109, 116-111 in favor of Berto (23-0, 19 KOs), who won the vacant belt on June 21 with a seventh-round technical knockout over Miguel Angel Rodriguez. PA SportsTicker had the fight scored 118-110.
The native of Winter Haven, Florida started out as a highly touted prospect who shot up the rankings by impressing with a blend of speed and power. Berto put those skills on display against Forbes, who had no answer for his stinging right hands and hard uppercuts.
"I was cramping in the middle of the fight. I couldn't move like I wanted to," Berto said. "Steve is a real slick kid. I started to dominate in the fifth and sixth round. It was my speed that won the fight for me."
Forbes (33-7), who was coming off a unanimous-decision loss to Oscar De La Hoya, showed a good chin but never was able to get Berto in any serious trouble.
"I know I'm not a welterweight and I was forced to fight inside," Forbes said. "He was holding me and clinching me really close and I couldn't get my distance."
Berto was a big favorite heading into the fight but had to go 12 rounds for the first time in his brief career.
The 25-year-old has yet to face a top-10 opponent but could be paired with the WBC's No. 1 contender, Luis Collazo, for his next fight.
Forbes has lost four of his last five bouts.
