When talking about Miguel Ángel Cotto, one speaks of one of the best boxers in the history of Puerto Rico and Latin America. The career of the Puerto Rican fighter will come to an end this weekend when he faces Saddam Ali in New York, but his legacy will last with time.

Although he was born in the United States, his family returned to Puerto Rico when he was barely two years old, which is why all his upbringing took place in “La Isla del Encanto”. Cotto grew up in a family of boxers and trainers. From his father, Miguel Cotto Sr., his uncle and former trainer Evangelista, to his brother José Miguel and his cousin Abner, the last name has been a reference for boxing for years.

“Junito”, as the man who will end his career at 37 years of age is nicknamed, demonstrated his great skills from very early on. He participated in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and a year later he made the leap to professional boxing, where achieved great feats.

The right-guard fighter, but natural lefty, won championships in four categories, from Super Lightweight to Middleweight. He was World Boxing Association (WBA) Welterweight and Super Welterweight Champion. The first one was obtained in 2006 when he beat Carlos Quintana and the next one with a victory against Yuri Foreman in 2010.

His boxing style, his precise combinations and his powerful left hook took him to the top. Cotto has won 41 fights, 33 of them by knockout, while he has only fallen five times. He faced all the greats of his era, including Shane Mosley, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, always raising his country’s flag high and demonstrating the Latino pride in the ring.

The WBA wants to thank a boxing giant who, since now, puts his name next to his great compatriots like Wilfredo Benítez, Héctor Camacho and Félix Trinidad. Best of luck to Miguel Cotto in all the projects he undertakes from now on.