Miguel Cotto Wins a Split Decision Close Fight Over Joshua Clottey

Miguel Cotto won a close split decision over his toughest fight of his career over Joshua Clottey Saturday night.

The official judges score cards were 116 to 111 Cotto, 114 to 113 Clottey, 115 to 112 for Cotto.

King J's official score card was 115 to 112 for Cotto as well.

Harold Lederman's score card was even closer at 114 to 113 for Cotto.

All of these score cards are a strong indication that we all witnessed a rather close, competitive, great fight that sea sawed and moved back and forth between Cotto and Clottey.

The first round opened with a suprise flash knock down by the short left jab of Cotto in the ending seconds of the round.

In round three an accidental head butt opened up a bad cut over Cotto eye that continued to bleed and cause several problems for Cotto from that point on.

In round five Cotto gets frustrated with Clottey getting on top of him and tangling him up so he shoves Clottey off him and Clottey lands hard face down on his knee, hurting his left knee badly and refusing to get up and take full advantage of his optional five minute break.

In round six Cotto trapped Clottey against the ropes and into the corner for over a minute straight firing non stop. It was evident that Clottey's knee was not allowing him to move at all and Cotto took full advantage of this.

In round seven Clottey lands a hard right upper cut and lands four more clean shots through out the round.

In round eight Clottey dominates again.

In round nine Cotto out boxes and moves and is the more aggressive of the two fighters.

In round 10 Cotto switched to south paw and punctuates the round with a big left hook at the end of the round.

In round 11 Cotto lands his signature left hook and is the more busier and active fighter.

In 12th and final round Cotto gets tied up as Clottey holds his arm and accidentally gets hit in the back of his head and falls down. Clottey complains to the ref and buys some time.

Both trade in the middle of the ring and one of Cotto's shots land low and Clottey again complains to the ref and busy a bit more time.

The fight was again close very competitive despite both fighters having significant handicaps. Cotto with his non stop bleeding eye blinding him from many of Clottey's right hands that kept landing all night, as well as Clottey's left knee injury which prevented him from boxing and moving.

Emmanuel Steward who was blatantly biased for Clottey, said he had Clottey winning every single round except for the first round due to the knockdown, but at the end he had a change of heart and was won over by Cotto.

"I fell in love with him emotionally," Steward said.

Steward then admits that he felt he had to switch over rounds to Cotto because of the heart and more active fighting style of the Puerto Rican.

This is why Miguel Cotto is the big name fighter that he is today. He fights the best out there and gives it his all with tremendous heart. He is exciting, yet classy and humble. Cotto did not even bad mouth Margarito for his alleged cheating in their fight and also did not blame his uncle for not properly checking his gloves prior to their fight. 

We need more true champions like Miguel Cotto to make boxing exciting and on top of the world once again.