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Austin Trout was bigger, younger, and fresher. We knew that going in. And now we can be 100% certain that it's enough to topple Miguel Cotto, as Trout pulled the upset on the Puerto Rican superstar tonight, winning by unanimous decision on scores of 117-111, 117-111, and 119-109.
BLH scored the fight 116-112 for Trout, who started quickly, had some issues in the middle rounds when Cotto adjusted, and then flat-out took over the fight down the stretch, sealing the win, staying unbeaten, keeping his WBA junior middleweight title belt, and ending Miguel Cotto's famed unbeaten run at Madison Square Garden.
Cotto (37-4, 30 KO) seemed to tire drastically as the fight wore on, and the physically stronger Trout (26-0, 14 KO) was just too much for him. Trout was able to use the ring, but also able to smother Cotto's inside work, and keep Cotto from developing a real sustained rhythm. Trout seemed to have his timing down from the opening bell, and mixed up his punches nicely.
At points, the left uppercut did damage for Trout, whose jab consistently worked to the head and body, and in the latter stages of the fight, Trout got his right hook working, and nailed Cotto with several counter shots.
To say this is a massive win for the 27-year-old Trout is a gross understatement, but he was humble when speaking after the bout with Showtime's Jim Gray.
"Miguel Cotto's a great fighter," Trout said, "a great champion. It was an honor just to be in the ring."
When asked what Cotto told him after the scores were announced, Trout replied, "He said, 'Good job.' He's been a gentleman, a classy guy. Utmost respect to him."
"To have my hand raised against a kingpin like Miguel Cotto is a dream come true," he added.
Cotto left the ring after the scores were announced and met with his family at ringside. He was stopped by Gray but clearly in no mood to talk, only saying, really, that he would "probably" fight again in the future.
Austin Trout has arrived, and we've got a serious player in the 154-pound division. And whether Canelo Alvarez -- who was ringside again to see a potential opponent lose on Showtime -- wants it or not, he just might have to deal with "No Doubt" Trout on May 4, 2013.