WBO welterweight champ Antonio Margarito (33-4) retained his title against Joshua Clottey (30-1) via unanimous decision ... but it wasn't easy. Clottey's punches were far more accurate and effective through four rounds as Margarito looked rusty and vulnerable. Clottey, however, apparently broke his left hand in the fourth round and was unable to maintain his advantage. Margarito gradually took control of the fight but never dominated, as Clottey remained competitive until the final bell. All three judges gave the fight to Margarito: 118-109, 116-112 and 116-112. Margarito's next bout may be a mandatory defense against rising star Paul Williams (32-0), who stands over six-feet tall and - if Margarito avoids him - will inherit Margarito's place as the welterweight none of the big names wants to face.
Cotto Wins WBA Welter Belt; Margarito Retains WBO Version
From Andrew Eisele, Former About.com GuideDecember 3, 2006
Moving up to welterweight posed no problem for Miguel Cotto (28-0) as he won the vacant WBA welterweight title with an action-packed fifth round TKO of previously unbeaten Carlos Quintana (23-1). Quintana was very competitive through four rounds but Cotto's power shots proved to be the difference. Cotto dropped Quintana twice in the fifth round - first with a big left hook to the liver and again with a barrage of punches just before the bell. Quintanta beat the count but decided he'd had enough and elected not to come out for the sixth round. Cotto's next bout is expected to be against 36-year-old mandatory challenger Oktay Urkal (38-3) from Germany.
Explore Boxing
Must Reads
Most Popular
Also from About.com:
©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.
Comments
Hats off to Cotto. He fought like a man. He improved his beard a bit it seems. Anyone else notice that he has his chin stapled to his chest even more these days. He occasionally lifts it though.
If he faces Margarito, I think he’ll pull it out. Margarito fights to wide for a technician like Cotto. If Cotto can handle the work rate, he should be fine.
I had Quintana winning every round always a step ahead. The punch to the liver was questionable/boardline legal. Margarito got a break that Clottey’s hand was hurt. He and Williams could be interesting.
Hopefully everyone who thinks Antonio Margarito would beat Floyd Mayweather was watching this weekend. Margarito looked slow, lacked defense, and really looked average against Clottey. I had Clottey winning the first three rounds before his hand injury and was shocked that Margarito couldn’t take him out even after he broke his hand. Margarito looked like a fighter with 4 losses and does not deserve to be in any pound for pound discussions.
Cotto is the best fighter out of my country P.R at this time and theres no body that can take his slice of the pie.Cotto is going to be around for a wile so hang on for the ride.
HE IS THE BESTTT.
And New Welterweight Champion of the World: Paul “The Punisher” Williams!!!!!!!