Miguel Cotto vs abdulleav

June 11, 2005
Cotto vs. Abdulleav
Madison Square Garden
By Senor BoriQua
Miguel Angel Cotto proves that, he is a world class champion. Cotto avenged his only lost, in his career (in Sydney, Australia's Olympics 2000) to Mohamad Abdulleav of Uzbekistan 15-3, 12 KO's by winning his 24th professional fight (24-0) and defending his
Jr. Welterweight WBO Championship belt for the 4th time. Miguel Cotto Fought for the first time in NYC's Madison Square Garden, On the eve of the 10th National Puerto Rican Day Parade. He used his superior skills of combinations to defeat his Olympic nemesis. Click here: See photos taken by Senor BoriQua.

Abdulleav started very well in the first 3 rounds, But Cotto using his smart savvy skills by eluding his nemesis by constantly moving and showing his light fancy footwork. Abdulleav tried time and time again to tie up Cotto on the ropes and in the corner. Cotto show him that he can box and escape while responding with punches of his own. Cotto
would keep his punches landing and landing. Abdulaev found out very quickly that this was not the same Cotto he met in the 2000 Olympic games. Both fighters traded body shots but, it's Cotto who did more damage and landed the cleaner shots.

After the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds, Abdulleav always started very aggressive but the Puerto Rican Cotto really started to connect with his jabs and body work on Abdulleav. Abdulaev would occasionally find an opening and hurt Cotto with a short straight right hand. Cotto would counter with double left hooks and beat Abdulaev to the punch. It was obvious as Abdulaev face began to change shape, he was having trouble with Cotto's style. He was strong willed and would not allow himself to go down from the combinations and uppercuts he was suffering. Abdulleav landed some good right shots as well as some
hurtful left shots to Cotto body and It seems as Abdulleav out punch Cotto in the 6th round.

In the 7th round, Cotto starts this round with bad intentions but Abdulaev offers back a left hook, jab and right hand response for Cotto’s troubles. Cotto’s left-right combination stings the challenger and Abdulaev fires back in kind. Cotto answers back again before
being driven to the ropes. A snappy combination from Cotto stops Abdulaev from doing much damage inside. This box and move style is Cotto displaying his versatility, a style not often employed by him and it is perhaps a sign of his great confidence that he applies it now
against Abdulaev whom many see as a considerable threat to his championship. Although, HBO had Cotto way in front, I too as Saddo Boxing.com's Jim Cawkell didn't believe he was really way up in front but ahead by only 2 rounds.

In the 8th round, Cotto found himself in some trouble as Abdulleav connect with a very good left hook to the head followed by some good right hands. But my Boricua Cotto fought back with a burst of combinations. No doubt that, this Puertorriqueño is clearly a smart and quick to respond back when needed. In this round, Abdulaev is looking quite bad now, especially around his right eye which is incredibly swollen.

In the 9th round, Cotto really pour it on. Seeing Abdulleav right eye looking really bad. Miguel launched a barrage of combination after combination. 57 seconds in the round, Abdulleav signals to the referee that he cannot see from his right swollen eye. Rightfully so, the fight was stopped and Miguel Angel Cotto successfully defended his 4th title Championship fight and retain his WBO Jr. Welterweight Championship Belt.

I really enjoyed my first live Championship fight, in which, I happen to win a Cotto Package Prize from the LaMega.com. and now I'm looking forward for my Helicopter ride in NYC.
-round-by-round-cotto-abdullaev from Saddoboxing.com