Sunday 23 April 2017 12:31, UK
Shawn Porter remains on course to secure a rematch with WBA and WBC world welterweight champion Keith Thurman after stopping Andre Berto in the ninth round in New York on Saturday.
Porter (27-2-1-KO17) was in control for the majority of the bout and highlighted his superior speed and power in the second, sending Berto (31-5-KO24) to the canvas after landing with a potent short right.
The former IBF world champion, who was watched at ringside by Thurman as well as Kell Brook's challenger Errol Spence Jr, continued to dominate at the Barclays Center and had to overcome cuts over both eyes following accidental headbutts.
Porter forced a second knockdown in the ninth and finally brought an end to the bout in the same round, with referee Mark Nelson waving off the fight with Berto pressed up against the ropes.
"I have to clean up those head butts," said Porter, who becomes the mandatory challenger for Thurman's two world titles following the win.
"We tried to use the whole ring, but sometimes in the heat of the battle stuff happens. I'm a fighter and Mr Berto is a fighter as well, those head butts were just the two of us going in and fighting.
"I thought I fought smart tonight. I thought I picked my punches well. There were times where I smothered my shots, but there were also times where I smothered him.
"He has a dangerous uppercut but we had a great game plan. This was a just very hard fought battle by both of us and I'm blessed to get the victory."
Porter failed in his quest to dethrone Thurman and become a two-time world champion last June, losing by a unanimous points decision.
Meanwhile, Jermell Charlo successfully defended his WBC junior middleweight title with a sixth-round stoppage win over Charles Hatley.
Charlo (29-0 KO14) was in commanding form and knocked down Hatley (26-2-1 KO18) in the third with a powerful right.
The American, who has been sparring with Spence Jr, brought the contest to an end, landing with another devastating right that left Hatley sprawled on the canvas.
