Abner Cotto


Abner Cotto Román is a Puerto Rican professional boxer who currently competes in the lightweight division. He is a member of the Cotto family, which has produced a professional world champion and multiple amateur medalists. As an amateur, Cotto has represented Puerto Rico in international competitions. The pugilist compiled several national championships and recognitions, including his division's silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games.

Amateur career

Early life

Cotto was the third of four brothers born to Simón Cotto and María Román. He is part of a family that has several members involved in the sport of boxing. Among his relatives there are pugilists, including his second cousin, multiple-division world champion Miguel Cotto and Pan American medalist José Miguel Cotto. Two of his uncles, Miguel Cotto Sr. and Evangelista Cotto were former boxers and worked in other aspects of the sport. Other members of the family practice other sports, such as professional wrestler Carlos Cotto. Following this tradition, he became involved in the discipline at the age of ten, receiving training from Efraín Román in Aguas Buenas' municipal gymnasium. He won championships in numerous minor categories, eventually conquering Puerto Rico's South Central Regional title. In 2004, while still incapable of competing in the adult division due to his age, Cotto was selected by the Puerto Rican Boxing Federation to form part of the national team's back up group. After receiving this position, he participated in the Torneo Internacional José "Cheo" Aponte, advancing to the finals, where he lost to Olympian Carlos Velázquez but injured his arm.

National championships and Pan American Games

In early 2005, Cotto won the amateur national championship at the featherweight division. Consequently, the pugilist was included in a team that participated in an international tournament held in the Dominican Republic. Upon returning from that competition, he competed in an eliminatory to determine the roster for the Pan American Championships. After winning the first contest against Velázquez by walk over, Cotto defeated Wilfredo Bone by points, 48:19. In the finals he defeated Marcos Jiménez with scores of 43:18. In May 2005, Cotto completed his secondary education graduating from Josefa Pastrana High School. Despite his lack of international experience, he won the bronze medal in the Pan American Championships that took place in September 2005. This was followed by preparatory workouts in the Dominican Republic and Guadeloupe. In the later, he was matched against Khedafi Djelkhir of France, with the contest being declared a draw. Between January 25-28, 2009, Cotto defended his national championship, defeating Velázquez in the process. After participating in a tournament held in Aruba, he participated in the Copa Romana held in the Dominican Republic, winning a bronze medal.
In March 2007, Cotto participated in the first classificatory for the 2007 Pan American Games, finishing second and classifying for the event. The following month he won a silver medal as part of a preparatory event held in Trinidad and Tobago, receiving a trophy for "Best Fighter" in the process. On July 9, 2007, Cotto's wife, Francesca Lavergne, gave birth to his first offspring, Alysha Cotto Lavergne. Only a week later, he debuted at the Pan American Games by defeating Miguel Escandón of Colombia with scores of 22:9. In the quarterfinals Cotto was matched against Luis Del Valle, a Puerto Rican who represented the United States, winning by points. In the semifinals, he defeated Davi Sousa of Brazil, 19:14. With this victory Cotto advanced to the finals, where he lost to Idel Torriente 5:7, after choosing to fight despite being affected by a cold. Cotto then participated in the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships, intending to gain a spot in the roster that participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, he lost his first contest to European Youth Champion Vasyl Lomachenko. On November 10, 2007, Aguas Buenas' municipal sports hall of fame dedicates its induction ceremony to Cotto. After competing in a tournament held in Martinique, Cotto participated in the American Olympic Qualifications. He defeated Jesús Cuéllar of Argentina in his debut and Miguel Marriaga of Colombia in the quarterfinals, but didn't qualify for the Olympic Games after losing to Robson Conceiçao in the semifinals. On July 20, 2008, he joined Miguel Cotto's team and traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, following an invitation from Evangelista Cotto, who was interested in managing the pugilist as a professional. This marked the end of Cotto's amateur career, who signed a professional contract in March 2009, concluding with a record of 235-20. Due to his success as an amateur, the municipality of Aguas Buenas named its municipal gymnasium "Gimnasio Abner Cotto", in his honor.

Professional career

A work group dubbed "Team Abner Cotto" and composed by trainer Efraín Román, assistant trainer Armando Alamo and Evangelista Cotto as manager was subsequently assembled. Cotto began his professional career performing for his cousin's promotion, Promociones Miguel Cotto. His first fight took place in Caguas, Puerto Rico, where he defeated Edwin Gómez by knockout in 26 seconds. A month later, Cotto defeated Nelson Agosto in the first of four scheduled rounds. On June 26, 2009, he was paired against Jonathan González, winning by knockout in the second round. In his next fight, Cotto won his first decision over Alberto Amaro repeating the result months later against Guadalupe Guzmán. He closed 2009 by dissolving Jorge Luis Pérez Adorno's undefeated record, defeating him by technical knockout in two rounds. On September 25, 2010, Cotto won a decision over Enrique Quiñónez in six rounds. He closed the year by defeating Alberto de Jesús Trinidad by technical knockout in three rounds. Cotto opened 2011 with a decision victory over Carlos Claudio.
On October 26, 2011, Cotto won the Puerto Rican National Lightweight Championship, earning a decision over Fernando Torres. In his first fight of 2012, he decisioned Hevison Herrera to secure the World Boxing Council's FECARBOX and World Boxing Board's Americas regional championships.
On May 12, 2018, Cotto won the World Boxing Council's Fecarbox Super Lightweight title by disposing of 11 wins, 11 losses and 3 draws rival Samuel Santana in four rounds at Cidra, Puerto Rico. he followed that with a bout versus former world champion Jorge Linares, 44-4 with 27 knockout wins coming into their bout, on September 29, 2018, at Indio, California He lost to Linares by third round knockout to fall to 23-4, 12 knockouts himself, record-wise.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
27Loss23–4Jorge LinaresKO3, 1:31Sep 29, 2018Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
26Win23–3Samuel SantanaTKO4, 1:37May 12, 2018Cancha Juanito Cabello, Cidra, Puerto RicoWon vacant WBC-FECARBOX junior welterweight title
25Win22–3Jorge RodríguezTKO1, 2:33Aug 12, 2017Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rico
24Win21–3Edwin LópezKO1, 1:09May 13, 2017Coliseo Samuel Rodríguez, Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico
23Win20–3Samuel AmoakoUD6May 13, 2016D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.
22Win19–3Edwin LópezKO1, 1:35Feb 6, 2016Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rico
21Loss18–3Javier FortunaKO5, 1:32Nov 1, 2014UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
20Win18–2Jerry BelmontesSD10Aug 7, 2014American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
19Loss17–2Francisco VargasUD10Mar 8, 2014MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18Win17–1Daniel RuizTKO4, 0:40Sep 21, 2013Oasis Hotel Complex, Cancún, Mexico
17Loss16–1Omar Figueroa Jr.KO1, 2:57Apr 20, 2013Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Won vacant WBA-NABA and WBC-FECARBOX lightweight titles
16Win16–0Sergio PérezRTD7, 0:01Dec 22, 2012Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rico
15Win15–0Alejandro RodríguezUD10Nov 17, 2012Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rico
14Win14–0Juan MontielTKO8, 2:31Jul 14, 2012Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13Win13–0Heivison HerreraUD10Feb 18, 2012Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rica
12Win12–0Fernando TorresUD10Oct 28, 2011Centro de Convenciones, Guayama, Puerto RicoWon vacant Puerto Rican lightweight title
11Win11–0Carlos ClaudioUD8Jul 15, 2011Coliseo Cosme Beitia Sálamo, Cataño, Puerto Rico
10Win10–0Alberto de Jesús TrinidadTKO3, 2:31Dec 10, 2010Coliseo Samuel Rodríguez, Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico
9Win9–0Enrique QuiñonesUD8Sep 25, 2010Coliseo Ángel 'Cholo' Espada, Salinas, Puerto Rico
8Win8–0Edgar PortilloUD6Jun 5, 2010Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
7Win7–0Juan SandovalUD4Apr 30, 2010Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6Win6–0Jorge Luis Pérez AdornoTKO2 Dec 19, 2009Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rico
5Win5–0Guadalupe GuzmanUD6Nov 14, 2009MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
4Win4–0Alberto AmaroUD6Aug 29, 2009Coliseo Ruben Viera, Las Piedras, Puerto Rico
3Win3–0Jonathan GonzálezRTD2, 0:01Jun 26, 2009Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rico
2Win2–0Nelson AgostoKO1 May 29, 2009Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rico
1Win1–0Edwin GómezKO1, 0:41Apr 24, 2009Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas, Puerto Rico