Miguel Cotto Vs. Joshua Clottey
The new WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27KO) will return to the ring of the legendary Madison Square Garden on June 13th in a unification bout against the IBF champ Joshua Clottey (35-2, 20KO).
Miguel Cotto, the 28-year-old Puerto Rican welterweight who boasts a 33-1 record, will take on perhaps the most underrated fighter in boxing today, Ghana’s Joshua Clottey. Joshua Clottey defeated in eight rounds Zab Judah last August 2nd to win the IBF title in Las Vegas. His two losses came against Carlos Baldomir, in 1999, and Antonio Margarito, in a 2006 bout (UD12 loss) he was performing well in until he hurt his hand.
At the age of 26, Miguel Cotto had been fighting as a pro for over 5 1/2 years. He moved up to 147 pounds for the first time in his boxing carrear and won the WBA welterweight world title with a very impressive fifth round TKO win against previously undefeated contender Carlos Quintana and lost only one fight which was against Antonio Margarito. With this defeat, Miguel Cotto lost the WBA welterweight title.
Cotto captured the vacant WBO belt stopping in five rounds the U.K.’s Michael Jennings on February 21st in New York. Cotto has beaten top ranked fighter such as, Mohamad Abdulaev (2005), Paulie Malignaggi (2006), and Judah (2007).
Headlining the undercard, Undefeated two-time world champion IVAN “Iron Boy” CALDERON of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico will make his Madison Square Garden debut.
Calderon (32-0, 6 KOs), making the fourth defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior flyweight belt, will be facing steel-fisted No. 4 contender RODEL MAYOL (25-3, 19 KOs), from Manadue City, Cebu, Philippines.
Calderon offers outstanding ring brilliance, exemplary footwork, lightning quick combinations and savvy boxing techniques. His credentials are scintillating at any rate. As an amateur, Calderon fought and defeated the likes of Miguel Cotto and Brian Viloria (3W-1L)
As a professional, he is a two-division world champion and is the reigning WBO light flyweight champion. Add to that he's currently sitting at the eight spot of Ring magazine's immaculate pound for pound list.
Mayol, a two-time world title challenger, has vowed to make the most of his third opportunity at the brass ring, which also marks his U.S. debut. Mayol is now under the managerial control of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. Mayol, originally from Cebu City in the Philippines, also trains at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.
Cotto vs Clottey Fight Results
A fight isn't a Miguel Cotto fight unless he appears to be on the verge of losing. Saturday, it was a badly cut left eye that was produced by an unintentional head butt from Joshua Clottey that almost led to his undoing.
The Puerto Rican, who held a share of the welterweight crown entering this title match, pulled out a split decision win at Madison Square Garden.
"I could see. The cut made the fight harder, but I felt like I was winning all the way," said Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), who continued fighting rather than have the bout stopped and go to a technical decision after four rounds. Cotto had won three of the first four rounds on all three judges' scorecards, including a 10-8 first round because he knocked down Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs).
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