The Neutral Corner

ATLANTIC CITY – It was easy pickings for Miguel Cotto.

Fueled by a relentless body attack, Cotto had no problems as he scored a sixth-round TKO over Alfonso Gomez and retained his WBA welterweight title at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City last night.

As routine as the fight looked, Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs) scoffed at the idea that he took it easy. “I wanted to work and do the right things,” he said.

As for his immediate future, Cotto is set to fight Antonio Magarito in July. The fight will take place in Atlantic City, New York or Las Vegas, according to Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels.

Cotto, who was called out by Margarito after his victory over Kermit Cintron in the card’s co-main event, said he’ll fight anyone. “I am going to be prepared for anyone, especially Margarito,” Cotto said.

Gomez, a former participant on NBC’s reality show “The Contender” was in trouble early and often as Cotto knocked him down three times. The first two came in the third and fourth rounds. The last knockdown came with about 1:00 left in the fifth round. Gomez’ corner stopped the fight shortly after the round ended.

“That was a real beating out there,” Cotto’s cut man Miguel Diaz said. “Cotto sent a message tonight that he will punish anyone who gets in the ring.”

Margarito wins IBF title. The first time the Antonio Margarito took on Kermit Cintron, it wasn’t much of a match as Margarito prevailed with a fifth-round knockout.

Last night was almost a carbon copy of the first match as Margarito (36-5, 26 KOs) battered Cintron (29-2, 27 KOs) into submission and came away with a sixth-round knockout and was crowned IBF welterweight champion. “I had him all the way,” Margarito said. “I’m surprised the fight went that long.”

Cintron, who acknowledged fight inside turned out to be a bad decision, promised to return. “I should have tried to box more and stay on the outside, but I wanted to prove something. I’ll be back.”