© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City Miguel Cotto regained the WBO Welterweight Title by sending Michael Jennings to the canvas three times before the referee stopped the bout at 2:36 of round five.

After his loss to Margarito last year, Cotto 33-1 (27) was looking to regain not only his confidence but also a world title. Mentally, the confidence may have been the bigger challenge; coming back after a brutal loss, having HBO pass on broadcasting your fight and entering the ring at Madison Square Garden to a crowd of 11,120 fans instead of the sell-out crowds that you have grown accustomed.

Regardless of the challenge Cotto was ready and proved to himself and his fans that he is still a dominant force in the welterweight division.

In a tactical opening round Jennings back peddled while Cotto primarily used his jab throwing only a few combinations.

Jennings began to gain some confidence in rounds two and three reaching forward with some jabs and straight rights but Cotto still controlled the fight with his jab and occasional combinations to the head and body.

In an action packed round four Jennings landed a strong right but was met with a devasting left hook from Cotto that wobbled him. Cotto charged forward attacking upstairs and downstairs dropping Jennings with a hook to the body.

After Jennings beat the count Cotto stalked forward backing him into a corner again landing combinations to the head and body, dropping him with another body shot.

Jennings having never been knocked out before rose to his feet and made it through the remaining seconds of the round.

Although Cotto came out in the fifth round looking for the knockout he took his time and continued to work the head and body of Jennings. After backing Jennings into the corner for a final time Cotto dropped him to the canvas where the fight was waived off by the referee. With the loss Jennings drops to 34-2 (16).

Cotto celebrated his victory by being carried around the ring and raising his fist triumphantly in the air gaining back the confidence he needed.

UNDERCARDS:

Middleweight – 10 Rounds
John Duddy 26-0 (17) UD10 Matt Vanda 39-9 (22)

Middleweights – 4 Rounds
Matt Korobov 4-0 (4) KO4 Cory Jones 4-5 (1)

Super Welterweight – 8 Rounds
Pawel Wolak 23-1 (16) TKO3 Norberto Bravo 27-17-3 (15)

WBA Women Super Featherweight Title – 10 Rounds
Kina Malpartida 9-3 (2) TKO10 Maureen Shea 13-1 (7)

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