Miguel Cotto finally said goodbye to boxing after a highly decorated professional career, as he went out on his shield in a decision defeat to the more youthful Sadam Ali in New York City.
The Puerto Rican legend officially hung up his gloves after a 16-year career following that unanimous decision loss at the hands of American challenger Ali, as Cotto lost his WBO light-middleweight crown at his adopted Madison Square Garden.
At 37 years of age, ‘Junito’ departs the sport he mastered for nearly two decades having become the first fighter from Puerto Rico to win world titles in four different weight classes, from light-welterweight to middleweight.
The highly popular boxing icon is surely set for a spot in the Hall of Fame in the future after yet another high-profile bout at the world famous Madison Square Garden in the Big Apple. So here are three of the best Cotto fight nights to take place at the Mecca of Boxing during his prestigious career.
1. Sadam Ali – December 2017
In what was his tenth and final ring outing at MSG, Cotto showed glimpses of his former great self, but an injury to his bicep late during proceedings caused him to struggle towards the end against Ali.
Nothing can be taken away from the newly crowned world champion and Cotto, in typically classy fashion, was the first to dismiss his age or injury as an excuse for losing, instead naming Ali as the better man on the night following their scrap.
Despite Cotto departing the fray, there are still plenty of top bouts set to take place during the remainder of 2017, including Billy Joe Saunders versus David Lemieux, and there are bonuses at Champion Bets to capitalize on before the opening bell sounds on December 16.
2. Antonio Margarito – December 2011
In arguably Cotto’s greatest ever performance and definitely his most personally satisfying, he gained revenge and redemption over long-standing bitter rival Antonio Margarito. The Mexican had beaten Cotto in their first bout back in July 2008, but it emerged he cheated by using illegal hand wraps.
Three years after that brutal beating at the hands of a foe with hardened wraps, Cotto brilliantly battled to a tenth-round stoppage success in New York City. The Puerto Rican legend sent the crowd wild when he was able to dispatch Margarito and gain the ultimate redemption in his adopted home of MSG.
3. Paulie Malignaggi – June 2006
Back in June 2006, Cotto enjoyed one his earlier outings at the famous New York City venue, as he earned a hard-fought unanimous decision triumph over Brooklyn native Paulie Malignaggi.
The latter home hope turned out to a truly game challenger but Cotto proved to simply be too much over the distance on United States territory, outworking and beating up his opponent.
Malignaggi even came away from the bout with a fractured right orbital bone and his jaw was injured, too.