No retirement plans yet for vanquished champ Cotto

LAS VEGAS – Boxing fans have not seen the last of Miguel Cotto. Despite the severe beating he suffered against Manny Pacquiao Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in their 12-round World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight, Cotto doesn’t have any plans of hanging up his gloves yet. “Yes, I will continue fighting," said the former champion when asked if he’s already looking to retire at the young age of 29 following the brutal 12th round technical knockout (TKO) he suffered at the hands of now seven-division title holder Pacquiao. While the loss was only the second in 36 fights for the Caguas, Puerto Rico native, it was the second crushing setback administered against him in a year’s span after an 11th round TKO against Mexican Antonio Margarito in July of 2008. Although the beating Cotto received from Pacquiao was not as severe as that of the Margarito fight, the attending physician from the Las Vegas State Athletic Commission recommended that the former Olympian be taken to the University Medical Center here for body scan to make sure he’s OK. “He did walk out of the locker room and went to the team bus," related Top Rank Promotions’ Lee Samuels. Bob Arum, who promotes Cotto like Pacquiao, said he doesn’t see retirement beckoning on Cotto yet. “Obviously, losing is not as good as winning," he said. “But against a normal great welterweight, Cotto would do ok. Still, he has to take off a considerable amount of time because he just take a beating tonight and he has to rest his body." But it can’t be denied, Cotto had his moments against the man considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world today. Pacquiao himself showed up with a bruised face during the post-fight interview and was wearing a bandage around his head ear after blood was drained out due to some swelling. The Filipino boxing icon later admitted Cotto is one of the toughest fighters he ever faced. “He’s strong. He has power," he said. “One of the toughest fights in my boxing career. Look at my eyes, my ears. I took a lot of punches from Cotto. – GMANews.TV