Floyd Mayweather (left) battles it out with WBA super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico. REUTERS/Steve Marcus
American Mayweather began by landing stiff jabs and fast right hands, but Puerto Rico's Cotto motored relentlessly forward, bullying Mayweather to the ropes and digging to his body with left hooks.
Cotto's constant pressure seemed to be taking its toll and in the sixth round, Mayweather returned to his corner with a bloody nose.
Mayweather then changed tactics and started cutting off the ring, firing fast right hands from long range. By the 12th round Cotto needed a stoppage but it was Mayweather who closed in style, rattling Cotto with combinations that buckled the defending champion's knees.
Two judges gave Mayweather a 117-111 decision while another had it 118-110 for the American.
