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:
Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center in Brick City
Sat, 11 Apr 2026ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
Sat, 11 Apr 2026Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
Sat, 11 Apr 2026Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
Sat, 11 Apr 2026Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 11 Apr 2026USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
Sat, 11 Apr 2026Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 11 Apr 2026Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
Fri, 10 Apr 2026Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
Fri, 10 Apr 2026Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 10 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott
Fri, 10 Apr 2026Staying active is Magsayo’s priority
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 09 Apr 2026