The 33 year-old realised his dream of claiming the middleweight crown in his favourite boxing arena at Madison Square Garden, dropping the Argentinian four times on his way to becoming to number one 160lber in the world.
Cotto already held an extensive back catalogue of victories over top contenders in the past, but this latest win has given the Puerto Rican fighting legend a new place in the annals of the sport and cemented his lasting place as an all-time great.
The manner of the win may have question marks because of the physical state of Martinez on the night, but nobody will ever be able to take away the fact that Cotto has held world titles in four weight classes, something few have been able to achieve. The victory has already placed Cotto as the man to beat at 160lbs, even though he can’t even make the limit, something which will put ‘Junito’ as the sole target for the other champions who will have locked onto the potential size advantage.
The likes of WBO belt holder Peter Quillin and hard-hitting Gennady Golovkin will see an opportunity to possibly unify the division against a fighter who could still make it down to welterweight, although Cotto may now look to Saul Alvarez or another top 154lber for his first defence.
Whatever happens going forward though, Cotto has assured his spot at the top table alongside the best ever for the foreseeable future, as his homeland toast yet another famous son making it to immortality status in the ring.
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