Shawn Porter stops Andre Berto, rematch with Thurman could be next

Shawn Porter bulldozed Andre Berto on Saturday night at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn in New York.

Porter (27-2-1, 17KOs) scored a total of two knockdowns, one in Round 2 and another in Round 9. The referee stopped the contest at 1:31 mark in Round 9 after Berto (31-5, 24 KO) got up from the second knockdown resulting in a technical knockout in favor of Porter.

Porter, 29, displayed amazing energy throughout nine rounds. He was relentless with his attacks leaving no space for Berto, 33, to recalibrate his defense. In Round 2, Porter sent Berto to the floor with a right hand after absorbing a two-punch combo from Berto.

In the succeeding four rounds, it was all Porter's aggression keeping Berto to clinch more frequently.

Although the fight is not necessarily foul-filled but have plenty of accidental headbutts leaving both fighters cut and bloodied.

“My intention is never to use my head as a weapon. This was just a very hard-fought battle by both of us, and I’m blessed to get the victory," said Porter after the fight.

It was a busy night for the ringside doctor as he was asked by the referee to check Berto's cut twice.

Berto had his moment in Round 7, where he scored counter shots as Porter tried to rushed in.

In round 8, I don't know what is there hiding inside Berto's body because Porter kept on digging in there from the beginning minute.

In Round 9, the body shots from Porter a toll on Berto who now looks battered and defeated. Porter continued his aggression and if not because of the ropes, his ass would be on the floor. The referee rightfully counted as a knockdown and started yelling the mandatory count. After the referee signaled to resume the fight, Porter again hurt Berto with a hook. The referee stepped in to stop the fight.

With the win, Porter earned another shot at his recent conqueror --- Keith Thurman --- for another title fight.

Keith Thurman told Porter in the ring after the win over Berto that they could fight next.

"We just need to sit down and talk about it. He's hungry. You see the way he fights. It could be a great fight again."