MIGUEL COTTO'S BIOGRAPHY

Miguel Cotto began to fight at a very young age following in the family tradition. His father, uncle, brother and cousin had taken the same path before him as they made boxing the family business. In the little gym of Bairoa in Caguas where such world champions as Orlando “Cholo” Fernandez and Jose “Cury” Carrazo were made, Cotto began his dream of someday making a name in boxing. Under the watchful eye of his father, Miguel Angel Cotto and his uncle Evangelista Cotto, the young Miguel began what would turn out to be one of the most successful amateur careers in the history of Puerto Rico. His boxing skills, fast hands and quickness in the ring became his trademark as the right-handed fighter began to get noticed internationally in 1997.

1997 - Bronze - Central American Tournament (Mexico City)
1997 - Gold - Regional Tournament (Colombia)
1998 - Gold - Pedro Julio Nolasco Tournament (Dominican Republic)
1998 - Silver - Pan American Youth Tournament (Mexico City)
1998 - Silver - Central American and Caribbean Games (Venezuela)
1998 - Silver - Youth World Championship
1999 - Gold - Jose Torres Tournament (Puerto Rico)

After four years of being the best amateur boxer in Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto made a very impressive leap into the professional ranks last February 23 in Austin, Texas as he stopped Jason Doucet of Lake Charles, Louisiana in the first round. In front of a very large and vocal crowd in the Erwin Center at Texas University, Cotto showed all his skills against Doucet. Cotto was fast on his feet, quick with his hands and devastating with both fists as he put down Doucet twice in the first round of a scheduled four round bout. “I was just happy to get the first win under my belt. He (Doucet) had a lot of courage and was very strong,’’ said Cotto after a fight that was televised nationally by the cable sports network ESPN2.

Cotto's second professional fight came on March 30 in Forth Worth, Texas and this time he stopped Jacob Godinez in the second round, showing once again his tremendous speed and power in a fight that was also shown on ESPN2.

For his third professional fight Cotto traveled to New York on April 28 and once again showed what he is made of by taking everything that Waklimi Young had to give and still dominated the four rounds with his great body shots and quick combinations on his way to a four round unanimous decision. “He (Young) was in great shape to take my shots and not go down. I was happy with my performance and that I was able to get some work in this fight,” said Cotto after the fight in the Hammestein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center. “Fighting in New York is always important for Puerto Ricans and I'm glad I won and gave a good account of myself”, said the 20 year-old fighter.

Cotto's fourth fight was his first scheduled six-rounder and his professional debut in Puerto Rico. On May 20 on a card held at Pier 10 in San Juan he won a unanimous decision against Mexican Martin Ramirez, (6-8, 3 KOs).

On his fifth fight he also fought in San Juan, Puerto Rico on July 7 against Rudolfo Lunsford, (11-15-1, 7 KOs). He won by TKO on the 4 round.

Exclusive interview with Cotto