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| Miguel Cotto stepped it up last night. His fight with Mohamad Abdulaev was a display of a boxer who had matured into a top prizefighter. In Abdulaev’s defense, he did step it up and applied a lot of pressure to Cotto in the early rounds, but it was not enough to contain Cotto’s swiftness and commitment to standard boxing. Cotto would |  © Mike Cleary |
stick and move, even moderating Abdulaev’s punching power by controlling his desire to counterpunch. In the sixth round, Cotto landed a punch that would be the started Abdulaev’s right eye swelling, leading to the stoppage in the ninth round. A true stepping-stone for Cotto was present tonight, as Abdulaev gave it his all and at times, he did hurt Cotto. Aside from losing, Abdulaev still will be a force in the junior welterweight division. This fight was a clear indication that Cotto accepted and received the promise of growing as a stronghold in the junior welterweight division.
As the structure of the junior welterweight division is changing, it is also showing why it is the most talented. Abdulaev was not an easy target for Cotto to increase his winning streak and popularity. He really displayed patience, along with a high punch rate and a major output of body shots on Abdulaev. If this fight did not establish Cotto as a legitimate contender in the quest of becoming a top junior welterweight in your eyes, then you are clearly looking at another boxer’s record and not Cotto’s. I can still see minor improvement needed in Cotto’s defense and offense, but I can also confidently see the outstanding potential this fighter holds in his desire to become a recognizable world champion.
Now, the only question that presents itself to the boxing community is, who will Miguel Cotto fight next? Increased pressure is on Floyd Mayweather to make an example out of Arturo Gatti, and there is some weight on Gatti’s shoulders, because the junior welterweight division is the prime market for establishing the big paydays and pound-for-pound status. Ricky Hatton is also on the map as a next opponent for Cotto. Another factor to consider is the chance of Cotto fighting Vivian Harris, Kendall Holt, Francisco Bojado, these fights would generate a reasonable payday, but would increase the studious Cotto into understanding styles and with wins over these fighters, improved confidence.
Cotto is the youngest of the richly skilled boxers in the paramount weight division in all of boxing. Of course, we cannot lose the notion of Oscar de la Hoya’s comeback at either junior welterweight or welterweight and that could push the ambition of any junior welterweight to move up. Cotto releases a lot, well, all of the match making up to his promoters, giving him more time to focus on training and fighting. Whichever route Cotto’s promoters decide to place him on, make sure you pay close attention. We have a prizefighter here.
Shaun Rico LaWhorn can be reached at filmmaking_mentality@msn.com
