Mobile Home | Desktop Version




COTTO REMAINS CHAMP AND UNDEFEATED

By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 12 Nov 2007



Miguel Angel Cotto won by unanimous decision over Sugar Shane Mosley, successfully defending his WBA welterweight title. The age factor played a significant role on the victory by the Puerto Rican who was the crowd favorite at the Madison Square Garden.

Cotto declared he sensed that he had the fight in the bag as early as the ninth round. So he decided just to be careful enough not to be caught by a lucky punch from Mosley, outpointing him in the process. He maintained an immaculate record of 31-0-0 with 25 KO wins.

As for his next opponent, he proclaimed he is available for all the big names in boxing, especially the winner of the Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton encounter. Mosley respected Cotto after the bout, citing him as a great warrior. Sugar admitted he is not getting any younger.

Glenn Feldman and Wynn Kintz scored the bout, 115-113, while Peter Trematerra saw it 116-113 all for Cotto. The punch stats also told it as follows: Cotto landed 248 of 675 total punches thrown, while Mosley connected 248 of 774 total punches. Cotto had 98 jabs, while Mosley connected 71 jabs. Mosley though has the advantage in total power punches of 177 compared to Cotto?s 150.

True to its billing, the action was ?fast and furious? in all 12 rounds, with both fighters showing aggressiveness all the way. Mosley was using his effective left uppercut, while Cotto connected with some excellent rights and jabs and landed a few strong hooks to the head to build the advantage.

Cotto was cut by an unintentional head butt in the final minute of the bout. Blood flowed down in his face from a two-inch cut. But this did not cause nuisance for the champion as the fight went on to a close.

Miguel is also a former WBO light welterweight champion and as an amateur he represented Puerto Rico at different international events including the 1999 Pan American Games, the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 1998 Junior World Championships where he finished second.

Cotto was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico in a family where boxing is a way of life, including his father Miguel Cotto Sr., his brother Jose Miguel Cotto, his second cousin Abner Cotto and his uncle and boxing trainer Evangelista Cotto.

In the undercard, Joel Casamayor won a split decision over Jose Armando Santa Cruz for the WBC lightweight title, while Antonio Margarito outclassed Golden Johnson in a first-round technical knockout for the vacant WBO intercontinental welterweight crown.

Top photo: Miguel Cotto, of Puerto Rico, punches Shane Mosley during the 11th round of a WBA World Welterweight Title boxing match Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Cotto won the fight by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    Sun, 29 Jun 2025