Cotto stops Mayorga in 12th

(From USA Today) 3-12-11
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LAS VEGAS — Miguel Cotto successfully defended his 154-pound (70-kilogram) title on Saturday night, dominating Ricardo Mayorga throughout their bout before stopping him in the final round.

Cotto fought with discipline for 11 rounds and was ahead by five points on all three ringside scorecards entering the final round. He then unleashed a vicious left hook that sent the wild-swinging Nicaraguan to the canvas.

Although Mayorga got up, he told referee Robert Byrd when the fight resumed that he couldn't go on.

"It was a really good fight with an amazing finish," Cotto said.
Mayorga said it wasn't the effects of the left hook that made him quit, but an injury to his thumb during an exchange early in the 12th round.

"I hate the way this fight ended," Mayorga said. "I tried to finish the final round but the pain in my hand was too much."

Cotto, who is trying to resurrect his career after a defeat to Manny Pacquiao in November 2009, improved his record in title fights to 17-2. It was his first defense of the title he won from Yuri Foreman last June.

"The game plan was not to get caught up in any of his antics," the Puerto Rican fighter said. "He was very heavy handed, I felt his punches the whole fight."

Cotto was a big favorite to retain the title, but Mayorga fought a competitive bout and landed well in flurries to the head. However, Cotto outscored him 249-176 in total punches tallied at ringside.

"I told myself, keep calm and be myself," Cotto said. "He has very strong hands and punches that hurt."

Cotto, who earned $1 million with the win, improved to 36-2 with 29 knockouts. Mayorga, who has now lost five of his last nine fights and may be at the end of his career at the age of 37, fell to 29-8-1.