Round by Round: Andre Berto vs. Steve Forbes

Originally presented live at BoxingWatchers.com.

The first fight of tonight's HBO doubleheader is Andre Berto versus Steve Forbes. The rising star Berto is 25 years old and undefeated. Forbes is better known as a sparring partner and is coming off a loss against Oscar De La Hoya.

Forbes says Oscar was the hardest puncher he ever faced and doesn't think Berto has the power to match Oscar. Commentator Emmanuel Steward doesn't think Berto will knock out Forbes, but also doesn't think the champ will have much trouble with him.

Steve "Two Pounds" Forbes got his nickname because he was born prematurely with a birth weight of two pounds. He comes to the ring first. Berto, as the WBC welterweight champion, comes out second. He enters the ring to "Out Here Grindin'" by DJ Khaled.

Forbes' record is 33-6. Berto's is 22-0.

Round One 

The two fighters meet in the center of the ring. Berto lands first and knocks Forbes back into the ropes. Forbes gets his composure and starts throwing the jab. Berto lands a great left counter. Forbes isn't throwing much other than his jab. Forbes lands a right hook after a jab, but Berto answers right back.

Neither fighter lands much cleanly. Forbes lands some slick shots before the bell, probably winning him the round.

Spartan117: 10-9 Forbes

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round Two 

Forbes lands a good jab to start the round. Berto lands a jab and hook and pressures Forbes against the ropes. Forbes comes off the ropes but gets backed into them again, though Berto doesn't do too much while he's there.

Again, neither fighter is landing much that is clean. Both fighters are now swinging wildly. Berto lands the best punch of the exchange, but Forbes gets some shots in.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Forbes

Round Three 

Both fighters exchange jabs. Berto follows up with an overhand right. Forbes' hand speed might be surprising Berto. Forbes lands a good shot upstairs while he is against the ropes. Berto is the aggressor so far.

Both fighters are swinging away in the last minute of the round. Berto is landing more in this frame. He continues to come forward, but Forbes is doing a good job of moving and dodging.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round Four 

A cut has opened over Forbes' eye. The ref says it's due to an accidental headbutt, but Berto says otherwise. Berto gets in a good left hook, but Forbes answers back with two shots upstairs.

Forbes is blocking all of Berto's power punches, though Berto is getting in some lighter ones. Berto gets in a good combo at the end of the round.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round Five 

Both fighters clinch after throwing some shots that didn't land. Berto throws an impressive flurry, but most of it is blocked. Berto now lands a great combination but Forbes takes it well.

Both fighters have been exchanging good shots while fighting out of the clinches. Berto knocks Forbes off balance, but Forbes comes back and lands a shot to Berto's head.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Forbes

Round Six

Berto gets in a good right hook and left uppercut. Forbes comes forward with a combo and then clinches.

Both fighters have been getting some shots blocked and a clinch usually follows. Berto is throwing vicious combos but almost all of the punches get blocked.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round Seven

Berto comes out swinging again and lands some. Berto throws another combo. This time Forbes tries to swing with him and takes more punches. Berto now lands a great uppercut. Forbes isn't doing much in this round. Berto lands a huge combo but Forbes takes it well. Berto gets another combo in before the bell.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round Eight 

Berto gets in a good counter punch after dodging a punch from Forbes. Berto now comes forward with his hands at his waste, looking more confident.

Forbes' mouthpiece gets knocked out after a huge uppercut by Berto. The action is stopped so that he may reapply the mouthpiece. Berto comes back in with one of his trademark combos. He looks to be going for the knockout now.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round Nine

Neither fighter does much in the first 30 seconds of the round. Forbes' punch output has slowed as the fight has progressed.

Berto is going for his trademark right hook followed by a right uppercut. It has been landing a lot throughout the fight.

Forbes gets in a good left jab, but there has been less action in this round.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round 10 

Berto is swinging harder now, and Forbes hasn't done much to solve this problem. He is backed into the ropes after taking a big combo.

It looked like he was in trouble, but Forbes looks good now. Forbes is clinching more, but both fighters are fighting out of them well. Forbes is moving around the ring more, but is still taking a whole lot of punches.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round 11

Berto gets in and throws a fast combo. Forbes blocks it, and bounces on his toes in the center of the ring to show that he's not tired. He gets in a good right hand that rocks Berto's head. Berto still continues to come forward.

Berto is showing less defense now while looking for the KO. Berto lets loose a monster shot right before the bell that shakes Forbes.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Round 12 

Berto's corner tells him to go for the KO and he looks to be doing just that. He is coming in hard and throwing great combos.

Forbes doesn't look like he cares much about winning this last round. Berto keeps throwing his combos and Forbes isn't throwing much back. Berto looks like he has this one in the bag.

Spartan117: 10-9 Berto

Uatu: 10-9 Berto

Spartan117 scores it 119-108 Berto. Uatu scores it 118-109 Berto. The judges score it 118-109, 118-109, and 116-111, all for the winner...and still WBC welterweight champion...Andre Berto.