Miguel Cotto vs. Michael Jennings: Round By Round

The undercard is over at Madison Square Garden and we're just about set to see Miguel Cotto attempt to shake off the first loss of his career by taking on relatively unknown British fighter Michael Jennings. First up is a moment of silence for Jose Torres.

Michael Buffer introduces the singers for three national anthems. The MSG crowd gets a little restless during "God Save the Queen." Michael Stuart handles the Puerto Rican anthem and Christine Vaskas sings "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Jennings is 34-1 with 16 KOs but has never fought outside the U.K. He has a slight height and reach advantage, and Al Bernstein believes he will have to use the large ring to his advantage.

Cotto enters the ring in his Marc Ecko-designed robe. He's been off for 208 days since his loss to Antonio Margarito.

Tonight's referee is Benji Esteves. Buffer does the fighter intros and we're set for 12 rounds for the WBO welterweight championship.

Round One

Jennings bounces and flicks some jabs. Cotto lands the first good punch, a straight right. Jennings throws his own and both men go back to jabbing. Counter left by Cotto, then another. Jennings doubles up on his jab. Cotto stalks and goes to the body. He comes forward and misses an uppercut. Jennings has stayed extremely mobile so far.

Franchise: 10-9 Cotto
Spartan117: 10-9 Cotto

Round Two

Both men working the jabs again. Cotto is just missing on his combinations. Cotto's corner warned him about Jennings' right hand, but it hasn't been an issue so far. Jennings digs in but Cotto covers up and counters with a left hook. Now Jennings lands the right. Cotto mixes in some body shots. Cotto's jab really snaps his foe's head back when it lands. A quick exchange along the ropes sees Cotto sneak in some left hooks.

Franchise: 10-9 Cotto
Spartan117: 10-9 Cotto

Round Three

Cotto ducks in and throws to the body. Jennings gets back on his horse and circles. CompuBox has Cotto landing at a 3:1 rate thus far. Jennings does some work on the inside as they tie up. Blood looks like it is starting to trickle form Jennings' nose. Cotto picks off multiple punches with his gloves and tries the body again. Miguel lands multiple left hooks, including a big one to the body.

Franchise: 10-9 Cotto
Spartan117: 10-9 Cotto

Round Four

Nice right hand upstairs by Cotto. Jennings has the jab but that's it. They trade in the middle of the ring and almost slip down. Jennings gets knocked back by a stiff jab. Another exchange of right hands with both men scoring. A left hook staggers Jennings and a hook to the body sends him down to one knee. He's back up with 40 seconds to go. Another vicious left to the body puts Jennings down again, and he's back up with 15 seconds left. The crowd urges Cotto on and Jennings barely hangs on.

Franchise: 10-7 Cotto
Spartan117: 10-7 Cotto

Round Five

Jennings told his corner he wanted to continue. He looks okay so far, holding when Cotto comes in close. Cotto peppers him with some quick left hands. Jennings jabs and stays extra cautious. Good body-head combo by Cotto. More body work by Miguel and he pours it on along the ropes. A left to the head finds the mark and Jennings takes a knee. He gets up at nine but the ref waves a stop to it.

The winner by TKO at 2:36 of Round Five... and new WBO welterweight champion... Miguel Angel Cotto.

Bernardo Osuna gets a word with Cotto, who was impressed by the show of support from the New York fans. He says he tried to get back to the old Miguel Cotto who studies his opponent and goes to work.

Cotto gives credit to Jennings for his strength and courage, especially when he got up several times. What does he want next? He mentions Shane Mosley and the winner of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight but doesn't have a preference.

Cotto finishes by thanking his fans in Spanish.

Posted by The Franchise