By Jake Donovan

The worst-case scenario going into this weekend’s HBO-televised main event was that it would quickly develop into a glorified sparring session.

Consider those fears realized, as Miguel Cotto had his way throughout before forcing former Contender contestant Alfonso Gomez to quit on his stool after five painfully one-sided rounds in Atlantic City.

It was this very Boardwalk Hall that played home to the biggest win of Gomez’ win, an upset ninth-round knockout of Arturo Gatti last summer. There would be no such Cinderella story on the strip Saturday night, as Gomez could never get going, suffering three knockdowns – the first three knockdowns of his career - and an enormous amount of punishment before suffering his first loss in over three years.

Round one began with Cotto landing a left hook upstairs, looking to initiate a fast-paced bout. Gomez remained poised, looking for counter opportunities, but was unmercifully beaten to the punch for his efforts. Cotto went to the body, landed upstairs, and even danced on his toes whenever he felt like playing defense. The round ended with Gomez on unsteady legs after taking a left hook to the body.

Cotto went right back to the body in round two, but was also effective with a purposeful jab that constantly kept Gomez well within the Puerto Rican’s desired punching range. Gomez sought any opening in attempting to transform into the spirited underdog that America fell in love with during his run on The Contender. It instead resulted in the bout’s first knockdown, with Gomez hitting the deck after a delayed reaction to a body shot. Gomez was once again wobbled at rounds end from a right hand upstairs.

Action slowed in round three, as Cotto brawled early, boxing midway through, and reminded Gomez who’s boss at rounds end. Just when Gomez became comfortable in trading with Cotto, a left hook to the body sent him to the canvas just before the bell. Cotto stayed in Gomez’ face at the start of the fourth, looking to see how much (or little) his opponent recovered. It resulted in perhaps the most lopsided round of a fight filled with ‘em, as Gomez looked more and more like a beaten fighter as the round wore on.

Instructions in Gomez’ corner prior to round five was to throw everything he had – and that came before the ringside physician said he wouldn’t allow the Mexican to take too much more punishment. Gomez reached, but had nothing left, even with Cotto slowing things down considerably. That didn’t stop the Puerto Rican from scoring the third knockdown of the bout, this from a jab that sent Gomez reeling before landing on his seat.

Randy Neumann escorted Gomez to his corner at rounds end, and ushered the ringside physician to the ring. One glance at Gomez, and the doctor called it, expressing concern for the fighter’s safety and inability to defend himself.

It goes in the book as a 5th round knockout, with Cotto cruising to 32-0 (27KO) as a result. He now looks forward to a summer date with Antonio Margarito.

“I’m happy for Margarito, I’m ready for everything. I can put pressure on him; I can do more than one thing.”

The one thing that most boxing fans would like to see is a showdown between Cotto and linear welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather. But until – or if ever – that fight materializes, Cotto made it clear that he’s proceeding with his own career on his own terms.

“Mayweather, if he wants to fight me… I’m not waiting for him, but I’m not scared of anybody.”

One fighter who can never be accused of fearing anyone is Alfonso Gomez, who showed perhaps too much courage for his own good in defeat. He falls to 18-4-2 (8KO) with the loss, his first since his rematch with Peter Manfredo Jr. in the semi-final round of Contender Season One. Gone is a seven-fight unbeaten streak, as well as the modest momentum wave that came with a pair of Contender-related wins last month on the ESPN2 circuit, which is most likely where Gomez will resurface and remain once he’s ready to return to the ring.

In the co-feature, it was a new year, a new venue, a new trainer in one fighter’s corner… but in the end it was the same fighter with his hand raised as Antonio Margarito once again knocked out Kermit Cintron. The rematch lasted one round longer, with Margarito scoring a body-shot knockout in round six of their scheduled twelve-round welterweight battle.

Cintron started out much better in the opening round of the rematch than was the case in their first fight three years ago, landing the cleaner and harder punches. Margarito was getting in his licks, but not quite as fluid in his attack, content to assess where Cintron was at before making his move.

Margarito turned up the heat in round two, which at times was bordering on 10-8 as Cintron was unable to do little beyond eat uppercuts and absorb body shots. It was a round in which the 30-year old Margarito unloaded 133 punches.

Round three began much better for Cintron, but it didn’t take long for Margarito to work his way inside and land to the body. Cintron tried to establish distance to get proper leverage on his right hand shots, but it was Margarito who controlled the action, landing at will toward the end of the round, though twice warned for hitting behind the head.

Much as was the case after the second round, Cintron was once again instructed by Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward to stand his ground, and not willingly allow Margarito to walk him down. Cintron did his best to heed his advice, which managed to produce far more two-way action than in the preceding two rounds. Margarito was still getting the better of the exchanges, but was taking several straight and overhand rights for his efforts.

Cintron attempted to employ a hit-and-don’t-get-hit strategy, which worked for about a minute into round five before Margarito was able to effectively cut off the ring. It was all downhill from there for Cintron, who absorbed several head shots and suffered a cut over his right eye. His only saving grace was a brief break in the round after Margarito was once again warned for hitting behind the head, though it appeared to be a borderline shot.

Instructed to box more in the sixth, Cintron opened up the round pawing with his jab in looking to set up his straight right. It failed miserably, as he was unable to keep Margarito off of him. Uppercuts and right hands found their way home with regularity, though what ultimately brought an end to the fight was a left hook to the body, which followed an overhand right while Cintron was trapped along the ropes. Cintron dropped to his knees and winced in pain as referee Earl Brown counted him out.

The official time was 1:57 of round six.

Margarito improves to 36-5 (26KO) with the win, his second straight since suffering an upset loss to Paul Williams last summer. The win nets Margarito an alphabet title, but will most likely have to vacate if he is to land the one fight he truly desires.

“(Miguel) Cotto is one of the best welterweights. I leave it up to Bob Arum (to make the fight), but I’m ready for the fight whenever Cotto’s ready.”

Both appear ready, as does HBO, which announced July 26 as the date set aside for the soon-to-be official head-on collision.

For Cintron, it’s back to the drawing board, as he dips to 29-2 (27KO). At age 28, there’s plenty of time to get back into the mix. The question that remains is whether or not he can shake off a second brutal knockout loss, or if he can rediscover a route toward the top that doesn’t involve going through Antonio Margarito.

Both bouts were presented by Top Rank, Inc. and aired live on HBO.

Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. Jake can be reached for comments at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com .