Philippines, 02 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


COTTO STOPS MARTINEZ TO MAKE HISTORY AT THE GARDEN


PhilBoxing.com




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:

  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Let's Go to San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Magramo is new PBO super fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • VARGAS AND WHITTAKER AIM TO SHINE ON HUGE ZAYAS-BOOTS BROOKLYN STAGE
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • José "Chegui" Torres Award ceremony on May 2 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Santig is IBF Promoter for Asia 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Jerusalem Arrives Early in Johannesburg Ahead of May 16 Title Defense
    , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Confirmed Mayhem: Casimero vs Nery June 6 in Japan! (Long Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • Vicelles is OPBF light fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026
  • WBC Commemorative belt ¨Tollan Tlatequi¨ at stake on Benavidez-Ramirez super fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.