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Cotto keeps his cool to stop Mayorga in the 12th

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

“Junito” ignores Nicaraguan goading to retain title

WBA “Super” light-middleweight champion Miguel Angel Cotto successfully defended his title for the first time, after challenger Ricardo Mayorga pulled out of the contest at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in the last round citing a thumb injury.

The 30 year-old champion stuck to his gameplan of jabbing and moving throughout the fight, as Mayorga tried to goad him into standing and trading. The Puerto Rican showed how he has matured into an experienced champion, by ignoring his opponent’s antics and producing the more quality work.

The end came in the final round; Cotto unleashed a three-punch combination, culminating in a big left hook, which sent the challenger down. He just beat the count, before Cotto moved in again and with Mayorga complaining of a sore thumb, the bout was called off.

Three-weight world champion Cotto improves to 36-2, scoring his 29th stoppage, whilst former world welterweight title holder Mayorga, 37, suffers his eighth career defeat in 35 contests and will now have to re-assess his next move after five defeats in his last ten bouts.
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