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by David P. Greisman - For three straight years, Miguel Cotto has walked to the squared circle at Madison Square Garden with thousands of fans cheering in support of him on the eve of New York City’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
For three straight years, Cotto’s opponents have left with their faces rearranged.
Muhammad Abdullaev, who had defeated Cotto five years earlier en route to an Olympic gold medal, had his right eye swell completely shut in their 2005 rematch. He raised his left glove and turned away in the opening minute of the ninth round, unable to see, unable to handle the onslaught.
A year later, Paulie Malignaggi suffered a broken orbital bone from Cotto’s left hooks, part of an arsenal that bloodied and battered Malignaggi’s once pretty-boy visage over 12 grueling rounds.
On Saturday, Zab Judah’s head clashed with that of Cotto, opening up a cut near Judah’s right eye. It’s difficult enough to face Cotto with one’s faculties completely intact, but fending him off when one’s eyesight is compromised is like trying to safely maneuver the Titanic through the North Atlantic.
Judah had started strong, his blazing hand speed and considerable power staggering Cotto on more than one occasion. But whether it was Judah’s propensity for fading late that did him in or the two severe low blows that drained his stamina, the former welterweight champion entered the second half of the fight lacking the vision and viciousness necessary for possibly pulling out the win. [details]
For three straight years, Cotto’s opponents have left with their faces rearranged.
Muhammad Abdullaev, who had defeated Cotto five years earlier en route to an Olympic gold medal, had his right eye swell completely shut in their 2005 rematch. He raised his left glove and turned away in the opening minute of the ninth round, unable to see, unable to handle the onslaught.
A year later, Paulie Malignaggi suffered a broken orbital bone from Cotto’s left hooks, part of an arsenal that bloodied and battered Malignaggi’s once pretty-boy visage over 12 grueling rounds.
On Saturday, Zab Judah’s head clashed with that of Cotto, opening up a cut near Judah’s right eye. It’s difficult enough to face Cotto with one’s faculties completely intact, but fending him off when one’s eyesight is compromised is like trying to safely maneuver the Titanic through the North Atlantic.
Judah had started strong, his blazing hand speed and considerable power staggering Cotto on more than one occasion. But whether it was Judah’s propensity for fading late that did him in or the two severe low blows that drained his stamina, the former welterweight champion entered the second half of the fight lacking the vision and viciousness necessary for possibly pulling out the win. [details]
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