Last night at Madison Square Garden in New York, reigning WBO Light Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto turned back the challenge of previously undefeated New Yorker Paulie Malignaggi to retain his title by unanimous decision. The much vaunted left hook of the champion came into play during the bout as Cotto dropped Malignaggi in the second round but the big hearted Brooklyn man refused to fold and at times troubled the Puerto Rican icon with his quick hands.
While Malignaggi did go the distance in his first twelve round bout, the "Magic Man" paid a hefty price, absorbing a broken jaw and nose during a considerable display of toughness that was not enough to wrestle the WBO belt from Cotto.
At the post fight press conference, Cotto announced that it may be time for him to make the long awaited move to the welterweight ranks, as making the 140 pound light welter limit was getting more difficult for him with each fight.
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