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:
STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS
Tue, 03 Mar 2026The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
Tue, 03 Mar 2026Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
Tue, 03 Mar 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
Mon, 02 Mar 2026Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Mon, 02 Mar 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
Mon, 02 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
Mon, 02 Mar 2026Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Mar 2026