Cotto stops Margarito by TKO

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Fueled by an exuberant crowd, Miguel Cotto targeted the eye. Cotto unloaded so many punishing uppercuts and head shots to Antonio Margarito, the Mexican star’s right eye was sealed shut.

A crowd of 21,239 at Madison Square Garden gasped — then roared for Cotto to continue — as the squeamish scene flashed on the big screen.

Cotto finished the job in front of his fellow flag-waving Puerto Ricans and retained his title, battering Margarito over nine lopsided rounds before winning a TKO decision amid confusion in the corner before they came out for the 10th on Saturday night.

Three years after he took a knee in defeat, Cotto fought his heart out in the rematch.

Cotto (37-2-0) earned a punishing measure of payback for his loss to Margarito three years ago. With the New York crowd going wild for Cotto, the Puerto Rican champ was never seriously threatened and retained his 154-pound title.

Cotto stared down Margarito in his corner after the bout was stopped.

“Just to look at him and taste my victory on him,” Cotto said. “He means nothing to me. ”

Margarito beat Cotto in July 2008, only to later have his reputation tarnished when he used illegal hand wraps before a loss to Shane Mosley. Margarito didn’t box again for more than a year.

Saturday, his eye needed 12 stitches.