With a build up drenched in a shower of tension and apparent disrespectful demands, Miguel Cotto walked into Madison Square Garden to face Argentine boxer-puncher, Sergio Martinez. Cotto’s $7 million purse dwarfed Martinez’ $1.5 million, added to the aggressively demanding terms that Cotto asked for in negotiations no doubt left Martinez feeling short changed. Nonetheless, the world middleweight title would be decided in the world’s most famous arena.

Under the tutelage of Freddie Roach, three division former world champion Miguel Cotto looked to see out the remainder of his career as the first Puerto Rican four division world champion. Sergio Martinez returned following a turbulent two years and was looking to re-establish his status as the crown jewel of the middleweight division, and potentially setting up unification bouts with the likes of Gennady Golovkin in doing so.

Right off the opening bell, Miguel Cotto looked to control center ring and impose his will. Both men exchanged jabs before Cotto hit Martinez square on with a hard left hook. Martinez clearly unsteady on his feet backed up to the ropes before Cotto followed up with a second left hook and put Martinez on the canvas. Martinez climbed off the floor to answer the referee’s count.

Cotto continued to stalk Martinez, a left hook staggered the champion again before a follow up barrage put Sergio down for a second time. Back on unstable legs, Martinez was in survival mode. It didn’t take long for Cotto to capitalize again, sending Martinez to the canvas a third time with a right hand. Martinez survived the round, barely.

In the second round, Cotto continued to control the center of the ring, positioning himself into spots to land effectively. Martinez took the backfoot, working the jab and tentatively following up with a left straight. In the third, Martinez slightly warmed to the task at hand. Establishing the jab, the Argentine began to seek a home for his powerful left hand. Cotto continued to cut the ring, cornering Martinez numerous times with a flurry of shots.

In the fourth and fifth rounds, Cotto continued to apply educated pressure, picking his moments to work effectively. Miguel looked to land the right to the body followed by a left hook up top. Martinez was looking for single shots with little success. Rounds six and seven heralded frequent body work from Cotto, hoping to further slow down an aging Martinez. Sergio found a home for a number of quick jabs before a right hand from Cotto made his knees dip slightly. Martinez needed something dramatic to hold onto his world title.

In round eight, Cotto remained in the driving seat, dictating the pace and position of the fight. Martinez held a relatively busy work rate with slight success, but lacked power and balance. Cotto landed a nice left hook to the head of Martinez towards the end of the round, the most significant shot of the round.

Cotto opened the ninth round with a three punch combination, intent on holding his pole position in the fight. A solid right from Cotto backed Martinez up. With Sergio urging him to exchange, Cotto complied. Cotto landed an uppercut flush on Martinez’ jaw before a powerful right caused Martinez’ legs to dip. The referee called a knockdown and Martinez received a standing count. Upon closer inspection, Martinez knee had not touched the canvas.

In between the ninth and tenth round, there was much activity in the Martinez corner. Behind on all scorecards with no clear path to victory in sight and Sergio’s body failing him, the decision was made to stop the fight. Miguel Cotto was announced the new WBC middleweight champion.

Miguel Cotto caught Sergio Martinez at an ideal period of the 39 year old’s career. Physical ailments have been a persistent issue in his last two bouts. Putting aside Martinez’ physical issues, Cotto fought a superb fight. Freddie Roach consistently mentioned in the build up his desire to bring back Cotto’s left hook effectively. The left hook would be a dominant force in this bout. Speaking to Max Kellerman moments after the fight, Cotto declared this victory to be the “best achievement of my career.” For Cotto, there could have been no place more fitting to become Puerto Rico’s first four division world champion than Madison Square Garden.

With the win over Sergio Martinez, Cotto finds himself in an interesting position that could see him get near the A side in his next fight. Two interesting rematches are out there for Cotto, as people would now have interest in seeing him face either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather.

A Pacquiao rematch would create intrigue, due to the result of the first fight and people’s view that Pacquiao is not the same fighter. Some will feel Cotto is just to strong for Pacquiao at this point, while others will want to see if Pacquiao can become a 9 division world champ. Mayweather, who Cotto fought competitively in their first bout, is looking for a dance partner for his September 13th bout. If either of the fight happens, they will certainly be credible option, especially after this weekend