Miguel Cotto, a Puerto Rican legend
Miguel Cotto is not only a boxer of extraordinary abilities, already considered one of the best of all time in his country, having won world championships in four different divisions; but also one of the “Isla Borinken” idols alongside Wilfredo Gómez, Félix Trinidad, Wilfred Benítez, Carlos Ortiz and Héctor Camacho.Now 41, Miguel recently celebrated his induction into the Canastota International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York, an achievement built with discipline and a gnawing hunger for success.
After starting his career as boxer in Caguas, with an outstanding amateur record, winning gold in the Pan American Championships in 1997, Cotto made his professional debut on February 23, 2001 at a show in Austin, Texas, with a victory over American Jason Doucet by knockout in the first round.
He was constantly active, winning many victories. He gained his first belt, the WBC international super lightweight title against Mexican César Bazán on February 1, 2003 in Vegas.
Miguel characterized his career as a very complete fighter, developing great speed, agility and strong punch, but above all these things, he grew and matured in all aspects of his life (personal and professional). That maturity helped him face setbacks against Antonio Margarito, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Austin Trout, and of course, the death of his father and his teacher Miguel Cotto Carrasquillo, who accompanied him from his first steps in boxing.
'Junito' reached the peak of success, demonstrating his abilities and with it the respect not only of the fans, the boxing experts, but also his colleagues
Miguel first went to “Gimnasio Bairoa” when he was just a child, initially with the intention of losing weight, but within its portals, he found his passion, profession and destiny.
He fought for 16 years, conquering world titles, hundreds of recognitions, awards, magazine covers, crafting a record of 41 professional fights, 33 by fast track and only 6 defeats and being recognized in the International Boxing Hall of Fame where on the day of his induction, Miguel said:
“The work done paid off. We are here to celebrate, this makes me understand that the work was well received and left a good impact on people”.
Retired from the ring, but not from boxing, since today he works as a promoter, Miguel enjoys a quiet life, far from the training and sacrifices that boxing demands, enjoying his family, his friends and life with the that he always dreamed of, but always without forgetting his roots and the childhood in Puerto Rico.
He has created the Fundación El Ángel de Miguel Cotto (FAMC) with the aim of promoting good nutrition and physical activity in children and teenagers, particularly those who suffer from overweight and obesity, through education on healthy lifestyles and the promotion of sports, remembering he himself weighed nearly 150 pounds at just 10 years of age, which made it difficult for him to carry out most of the daily activities typical of a child of his age, until he worked to transform.
Miguel Angel Cotto, the Puerto Rican star who conquered his dreams.
