Cotto Defeats Abdullaev to Remain Undefeated

Undefeated Miguel Cotto retained his WBO junior welterweight title with an impressive ninth round TKO over Mohammed Abdulaev. Abdullaev, who defeated Cotto on his way to winning gold at the 2000 Olympics, was the aggressor but Cotto threw and landed more punches. By the ninth round Abdullaev's right eye was swollen shut and he informed the referee he could not continue with 57 seconds remaining in the round. Cotto was leading on all cards at the time of the stoppage: 79-73, 79-73 and 78-74. In the co-feature, lightweights Joel Casamayor and Almazbek "Kid Diamond" Raiymkulov battled to an entertaining twelve round draw. Scores were 116-111 (Diamond), 115-112 (Casamayor) and 114-114. As expected, both men claimed victory in the post-fight press conference.