LAS VEGAS - Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto stopped Nicaraguan challenger Ricardo Mayorga in the 12th and final round to retain his WBA super welterweight title at the MGM Grand on Saturday.
The end of the contest came when Cotto (36-2, 29 KOs), who was well ahead on the judges' scorecards, caught Mayorga with a short left hook that sent the challenger staggering backward and down on one knee.
Mayorga beat the count but a follow-up barrage backed him into a corner, where he draped his arms on the ropes and signalled to referee Robert Byrd that he had had enough and the official stopped the contest.
Mayorga, (29-8-1, 23 KOs) is a former welterweight champion.
- Ricky Burns of Scotland made a successful second defence of his WBO super-featherweight title against Joseph Laryea after the Ghanaian retired at the end of seven punishing rounds with a hand injury.
Burns, who improves to 31-2, could unify with IBF champion Mzonke Fana.
- Former WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman was stopped by Poland's Pawel Wolak.
Mayorga gives up in final round after Cotto barrage
LAS VEGAS - Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto stopped Nicaraguan challenger Ricardo Mayorga in the 12th and final round to retain his WBA super welterweight title at the MGM Grand on Saturday.
The end of the contest came when Cotto (36-2, 29 KOs), who was well ahead on the judges' scorecards, caught Mayorga with a short left hook that sent the challenger staggering backward and down on one knee.
Mayorga beat the count but a follow-up barrage backed him into a corner, where he draped his arms on the ropes and signalled to referee Robert Byrd that he had had enough and the official stopped the contest.
Mayorga, (29-8-1, 23 KOs) is a former welterweight champion.
Burns, who improves to 31-2, could unify with IBF champion Mzonke Fana.
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