WBO welterweight world champion Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27 KOs) won a twelve round split decision over Joshua Clottey (35-2, 21 KOs) to keep his world title on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Cotto dropped Clottey with a jab at the end of the first round, but suffered a bad cut over the left eye from an accidental head butt in round three. Cotto’s face was a bloody mask in the fourth, but he still outworked Clottey in the fourth round. Clottey landed some good rights in the fifth, but suffered an injury to his left knee when pushed off by Cotto. Cotto had a big round six punishing Clottey in the corner. Clottey turned the tables in rounds seven and eight as Cotto had difficulty seeing the right hand. The rest of the fight was close as Cotto boxed from the outside. Scores were 115-112, 116-111 for Cotto, 114-113 for Clottey.