Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

SPORTS Monday 4 deceMber 2017
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Cotto’s farewell bout ends in unanimous decision loss to Ali

By BARRY WILNER legion of fans.
AP Sports Writer “Thank you to everyone,”
NEW YORK (AP) — This Cotto said in English. He
wasn’t the way Miguel usually answers questions
Cotto planned to leave in Spanish.
boxing. “Thank you for all the fans,
Sadam Ali ruined the I am proud to call MSG my
Garden party for Cotto on second home. I had the
Saturday night, sending opportunity to provide the
the Puerto Rican star into best for my family because
retirement with 12-round of the sport.”
defeat by unanimous Cotto had received a
decision. It was a matchup thunderous ovation when
of a Brooklynite and an he entered the ring, and
adopted New Yorker, and they were chanting his
it has the building rocking. name as he left, proud but
The 37-year-old Cotto defeated.
simply couldn’t handle the Ali is 26-1. He started
quickness of his younger quickly, then was stunned
opponent, who took the by a big right from Cotto
WBO junior middleweight that staggered him. Cotto
belt. Ali did it despite being charged as Ali recovered
the less-popular fighter only at the ropes, but it looked
miles from his borough; as if the fight had turned.
Cotto has made MSG a It hadn’t. Indeed, Ali won
second home, but fell to the final four rounds on all
8-2 in the arena. three judges’ cards. Miguel Cotto, left, of Puerto Rico, and Sadam Ali trade blows during the second round of a WBO
“I had him hurt here or Ali lost his previous title fight junior middleweight title boxing match Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in New York.
there in the first couple of to Jessie Vargas in 2016 Associated Press
rounds,” Ali said. “I knew I when he was stopped
had to do something, or he in the ninth round in a Jr., and Manny Pacquiao. unorthodox rushes had right-left combination to
would have dug in.” welterweight match. One thing was certain for Vargas missing time and end the fight.
Cotto finishes 41-6, and Now, he becomes a force the paying customers: again. “It’s taken me five years
he looked his age far too in this division. His hand Cotto would deliver a But Vargas, 27, also landed to get here, and I’m
often. He hurt his left arm in speed and movement good show. dozens of body blows and cherishing this moment for
the seventh round in losing around the ring made him He did so in his farewell, rarely allowed the 30-year- me and for Puerto Rico,”
by scores of 115-113, 115- formidable Saturday night. too. Ali just as better. old Negrete inside. Yet it said Acosta. “I’ve learned
113, and 116-112. “Good things happen to On the HBO undercard, Rey was Vargas who looked a lot since my last fight for a
“Feeling good with the good people,” Ali said. “I Vargas outpointed Oscar the worse when they left world title against Tanaka,
performance,” Cotto said. have been training since I Negrete in an awkward the ring. and this fight proves that
“Something happened was 8 years old, and I am 12-round brawl in which “I have the humility to say I learned and fixed all I
to my left bicep ... I don’t glad I got this win at MSG, the champion was left with that I made my share of needed to win a world
want to make excuses, in my hometown.” a swollen and bloody face mistakes,” Vargas said, championship.”
Sadam won the fight. It is Cotto, meanwhile, leaves from head butts. “but I feel that Negrete Alejo is 25-5-1 and has lost
my last fight. I am good, boxing with a legacy that Still, Vargas won the fought very dirty, and was in both his shots at a world
and I want to be happy in can’t be tarnished by this battle of unbeatens to not a very good boxer.” title. He was beaten by
my home with my family.” loss. hold onto his WBC super Earlier, Angel Acosta Donnie Nietes for the WBO
Many of the 12,371 fans Holder of six belts in bantamweight title. dominated Juan Alejo championship in October
booed the decision and four weight classes in Vargas easily won all before knocking him out 2015.q
again when Ali spoke in his distinguished career the judges’ scorecards, in the 10th round for the
the ring. — and the only boxer using a significant reach WBO junior flyweight crown
“I worked hard for it,” the from the tradition-rich advantage for scores that Japan’s Kosei Tanaka
29-year-old Ali said. “I took Caribbean island to of 119-109, 119-109, and vacated on Friday. Acosta,
advantage of this fight, own four such titles — he 120-108. The Mexican 27, of Puerto Rico, is 17-1
and I made sure to make retires with a reputation champion improved to — the only defeat was by
it count. I want to thank as one of the classiest and 31-0, while Negrete, of decision to Tanaka in May
team Cotto, they could fearless fighters of his era. Colombia, lost for the first — and all of his wins have
have taken an easier fight Sure, he lost a handful time in 18 bouts. been by knockout.
if they wanted to. “ of other bouts, but they “It was really hard to Acosta had Alejo, 33,
The fans soon were were against such prime find my rhythm,” Vargas of Mexico, in trouble
cheering as Cotto made competition as Canelo admitted. throughout the later
his final statements to his Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather No wonder: Negrete’s rounds. He landed a sharp