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Photo Credit: Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing
A confident Puerto Rican great Miguel “Junito” Cotto (37-4-0 30 KO’s) took a major hit last night in losing a competitive decision to WBA Light Middleweight belt holder Austin “No Doubt” Trout (26-0-0 14 KO’s), a potentially career ending loss for Cotto and a career “breakout” fight for Trout.
Looking back from a few hours ago as I log this down, I saw a combination of two factors produce this result. First off, Trout performed excellently in this fight. Blistering hand speed from good angles left a talented fighter even on the level of Cotto mentally distorted in every round and even swollen up a bit.
Trout is not known as a “world beater” as it is, but with such sharp southpaw straight right hands and quick half-uppercuts Trout managed to chop away at Cotto to the fullest extent over twelve entertaining rounds.
But it is uncertain if the Miguel Cotto from one or two years ago would have been able to push through that to punish Trout, which I expected before the fight. Cotto seemed physically drained and faded quickly which made him lose many rounds he normally wouldn’t have.
But, what I am certain of, is both men fought hard in the contest and Trout showed why he is ranked in the top five in the 154 lb divisional rankings of most knowledgeable fight fans
Although Cotto seemed depressed leaving the ring and showing signs of discouragement and retirement pondering, he did work hard and I personally believe with crisp body work and intelligent pressure fighting Cotto snatched at least four or five rounds in a losing effort.
Despite that, the judges gave him little breathing room on the scorecards with 117-111 on two and a bizarre 119-109 on the final one; Cotto likely feels irate. But as always, both men were humble with respect after the fight, seeing the sort of battle they were just in.
With fellow 154 lb superstar Saul “El Canelo” Alvarez viewing in the crowd, it is possible that Trout may step into the squared circle with the heavy-handed Mexican next year, as originally Cotto was rumored to be scheduled to do so in a large PPV based contest.
For Cotto, this fight will likely be the final title run at Light Middleweight if he doesn’t call it a day. Going 3-3 in his last six fights, most doors are closing in an excellent career.
Catch the big fight replay on Showtime Extreme network from 10:00 PM EST Tuesday night.
Corey Quincy is a freelance boxing journalist for Saddoboxing.com, his personal blog Blboxing.com
and others. Follow him on Twitter at Quincyboxingfan, Like his Facebook page at Boxing Legends.
