Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto returned to the ring in spectacular fashion, landing punches at will throughout the fight against Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai.
Cotto picked Kamegai apart and eventually scored a resounding unanimous decision in front of 7,689 at the StubHub Center.
The one-sided win gave former four-division world champion Cotto the vacant WBO Junior Middleweight world title. Cotto secured a sixth world championship in four weight classes.
Cotto went to work from the sound of the bell, peppering Kamegai with hooks, straight rights and body shots. Blood starts to trickle from the nose of Kamegai in Round 2.
Cotto said Kamegai was a tough fighter and a tough opponent. Cotto was happy with his performance.
“I tried to do my best, and I think I did that tonight,” said Cotto. “It was during Round 5 or 6 that I knew he was going to make it to the 12 rounds.”
Kamegai absorbed some big shots in Round 3 but continued to come forward. The Japanese warrior took a hard body shot then a hard straight right hand by Cotto in Round 4.
Cotto continues to land straight right hands, hooks and body shots but Kamegai showing his strong chin by absorbing a lot of hard punches in Round 5.
Kamegai landed some shots but found it hard to catch the faster Cotto as the Puerto Rican landed punch after punch and continued to dominate. Even as Cotto tired in the later rounds, Kamegai was still unsuccessful.
“I felt so much frustration not being able to land any of my punches,” said Kamegai. “I could not catch him at all. He is such a talented legend, I am so glad I got the opportunity to fight him.”
Cotto said come December 31, he will retire but said he might come back for one more fight.
“I’ve did it and done it all,” said Cotto. “I’m 36 going on 37, and I think I’ve come to the end of my career. I will fight once more in December. I’ll let Freddie tell you who I want.”
When asked, Freddie Roach said “we want the winner of GGG–Canelo.”
All photos by Tom Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
