Welterweight Andre Berto stops Josesito Lopez in 6th round
ONTARIO, Calif. (AP) -- While the crowd booed and Josesito Lopez argued in vain with the referee, Andre Berto leaped on the ropes and raised his arms.
A little drama wasn't about to stop the former champion from celebrating a cathartic victory on his road back to the top.
Berto knocked down Lopez twice in the sixth round Friday night, winning their welterweight bout by stoppage when referee Raul Caiz Jr. swiftly ended it.
Berto (30-3, 23 KOs), who once held the WBC 147-pound belt for three years, landed several big shots in the decisive round of his second straight victory following consecutive defeats. The first loss in that sequence was a brutal decision against Robert Guerrero in late 2012 in this same ring at Citizens Business Bank Arena, one hour east of Los Angeles in Lopez's backyard.
''I just knew that he was getting off some shots, and I knew I was in his hometown,'' Berto said. ''I knew they were probably giving him some rounds, but as a fighter, you have to see your opponent. We've got 12 rounds, and I'm going to get you. After round by round, I could tell he was slowing down, and eventually I was going to get him.''