Moments ago at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, Miguel Cotto rejuvenated his career with an impressive 8th round stoppage over previously undefeated champion Yuri Foreman, by way of Belarus and now residing in Brooklyn. Cotto was coming off of 12th round TKO loss to Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV this past November and he had serious question marks surrounding the future of his career. Miguel answered them with a patient and efficient outing that shows he still has plenty left in the tank.
In the early rounds it was obvious that the presumed size advantage that many felt Foreman would possess wasn?t to be as Cotto looked very strong and filled out in his move up to 154 pounds. Cotto?s jab was the most effective punch early and he appeared to be getting Foreman?s attention with the few power shots that did land. Many people gave Foreman the pre-fight edge based on his elusive movement but he was the one who appeared to be a few steps behind.
Cotto appeared to win the first three rounds clearly based on his effective punching but Foreman turned the tide of the fight in the 4th as he found a home with his straight right hand. The action picked up and the two fighters engaged in some fine exchanges over the next few rounds.
In the seventh Foreman was backpedaling and accidentally slipped and fell to the canvas. With his left knee writhing in pain, Foreman?s mobility went out the window and he became a sitting duck for the Boricua fighter. Cotto smelled blood and attacked with a reckless abandonment to close the stanza.
There was confusion in the 8th as Foreman?s corner appeared to throw in the towel to end the fight. Cotto raised his right arm in victory but it was premature as referee Arthur Mercante Jr. cleared everyone out of the ring in order to commence the action, telling Foreman ?I don?t want to see you lose like that?.
Cotto would instead offer up a signature ending to the contest in the 9th as he caught Foreman with a beautiful left hook to the liver that dropped the champion on his back. Mercante wisely called a halt to the action and Cotto celebrated his 4th title in a third weight class.
Afterwards Cotto noted that his aggression and patience were key factors to his victory. Cotto mentioned that having new trainer Emmanuel Steward in his corner was a definite calming effect and that he was always ?listening? to instructions. Cotto also noted that he is simply after ?big names? in the boxing world.
Miguel will surely have plenty of opportunities to continue proving himself and such possible opponents as Paul Williams, Alfredo Angulo, and Sergio Martinez would all make for interesting showcases. Rematches against either Manny Pacquiao or Antonio Margarito, the only two men to hand Cotto a defeat, would also be welcomed as well. Whatever direction Cotto goes from here is uncertain but tonight was yet another telling high in what has been a memorable career.
