COTTO STOPS MARTINEZ TO MAKE HISTORY AT THE GARDEN
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 08 Jun 2014
New York -- This city, and this venue has always been owned by Miguel Cotto. He was launched to stardom here, excelled as a superstar and tonight in front of his adoring fans - he made history.
Cotto, 33, of Caguas Puerto Rico, stopped reigning World Boxing Council Middleweight Champion, Sergio Martinez, 39, of Quilmes, Argentina in 9 full rounds of complete domination to become the first boxer from his country to win four titles in four different weight classes.
Cotto emerged from the opening bell with a mission and boy did he deliver.
He dropped Martinez three times in the 1st round and dominated, no completely destroyed the former champ in the next eight rounds.
Martinez who wore a brace in his left knee was obviously not his old self - perhaps he has not fully recovered from the injuries to the said knee. He was out of balance, awkward and a hitting target all night against Cotto - and the Puerto Rican superstar punished his head and body with his signature left hooks.
Cotto's punishment showed in Martinez's face, he was bloodied, swollen and his right eye was closing from all of Cotto's left hooks.
And then Cotto scored another knockdown in the 9th, when Martinez's knee hit the canvas after suffering a hit.
That was all that Martinez's trainer can handle, Pablo Sarmiento stopped the fight after the 9th and The Garden erupted in cheers.
Compubox shows the proof of Cotto's impressive work tonight. He landed more than half of his punches, 54 percent (212 of 395) against Martinez's 31 percent (100 of 322).
Cotto landed the same percentage of his power shots (158 of 293) against 38 percent (60 of 157) by Martinez.
Cotto also landed more than half of his jabs.
And the most telling proof that Cotto is the far better fighter tonight - all three judges had him winning a shutout going to the 10th against the former champion.
"Miguel Cotto became Miguel Cotto here." stated the newly crowned Middleweight champion - and his fans agreed - no everyone agreed.
For no one can dispute that, not after this historic night - for him, his fans and the country of Puerto Rico.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
Fri, 12 Dec 2025MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Fri, 12 Dec 2025