By Sam Gregory: In the main event of the June 5th edition of HBO’s world championship boxing Miguel Cotto34-2 with 27 KO’s challenges undefeated Yuri Foreman 28-0 with 8 KO’s in a scheduled 12 round bout in the junior middleweight division for Foreman’s WBA junior middleweight title at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.

Both fighters started this fight using their jab; Cotto having the harder jab pushing Foreman back through the first two rounds. When Cotto landed his left jab he followed it up with a straight right hand.

By the third round Foreman exchanged hooks with Cotto. Foreman landed a solid right hand in the third round which was his best shot so far. In the third round Foreman lost his mouth piece. A mouse developed under the eye of Cotto in the third round from a solid shot by Foreman.

After three rounds Cotto was ahead three rounds to none.

In the fourth round Foreman appeared to pick up the pace landing several solid shots early on. Cotto landed a solid left hook in round four and Foreman countered with a solid left hook. In this round Foreman landed two solid left hooks.

In the fifth round both men exchanged left hooks. Foreman had been exhibited beautiful footwork throughout the fight. Foreman began doubling up with his counter punching. Foreman finished the fifth round by landing a solid left hook.

In the sixth round Foreman had blood streaming down his face coming from his nose. Foreman kept moving using his lateral movement keeping Cotto off balance until midway through the round when Cotto began moving laterally himself.

Cotto is ahead five rounds to one

In the seventh round Foreman appeared to trip over a photographer and given five minutes to walk it off. Foreman seemed to have a serious foot injury but continued the fight. Cotto landed a left hook that knocked the mouthpiece out of Foreman’s mouth. In this seventh round both fighters fought hard and fast when Foreman was given little chance to continue after his fall.

In the eighth round Foreman showed he was a very game courageous fighter. Cotto landed a solid combination and a towel appeared to be thrown in from Foreman’s corner. The ring filled with people assuming the fight was over but the referee cleared the ring stating the fight was NOT over. The fight resumed with about 60 seconds left in the round. Both men exchanged jabs until the end of the round.

In the start of the ninth round Foreman’s face looked battered; Cotto landed a left hook to the body that dropped Foreman; the referee stepped in and called a halt to the fight at 42 seconds of round nine.

Cotto was declared the winner by way of TKO.

Miguel Cotto improved his record to 35-2 with 28 KO’s. Yuri Foreman suffered his first loss falling to 28-1 with 8 KO’s.