Love Hate City

NEW YORK — A fight isn’t a Miguel Cotto fight unless he appears to be on the verge of losing. Saturday, it was a badly cut left eye that was produced by an unintentional head butt from Joshua Clottey that almost led to his undoing.

The Puerto Rican, who held a share of the welterweight crown entering this title match, pulled out a split decision win at Madison Square Garden.

“I could see. The cut made the fight harder, but I felt like I was winning all the way,” said Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), who continued fighting rather than have the bout stopped and go to a technical decision after four rounds. Cotto had won three of the first four rounds on all three judges’ scorecards, including a 10-8 first round because he knocked down Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs).

Cotto’s possible reward: a Nov. 14 super fight with junior welterweight champion and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. Before Saturday, it seemed unlikely.

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