Cotto Sweeps Past Branco To Retain WBO Boxing Crown

In Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto extended his WBO Light Welterweight Championship reign by taking apart a solid challenger in Italy’s Gianluca Branco. The Puerto Rican superstar was dominant from the first bell and despite Branco’s best efforts, the European fighter could not take Cotto’s power. After eight rounds of being strafed by Cotto’s arsenal, Branco could not continue as the Puerto Rican’s persistent left hooks to the shoulder ! rendered the Italian’s right arm useless. Afterward Cotto’s promoter Bob Arum mentioned a proposed New York showdown with undefeated contender Paulie Malignaggi in Madison Square Garden this summer, a title shot that would represent a huge step up for the popular Brooklynite.