Abner Cotto
Encyclopedia
Abner Cotto Román (born August 10, 1987) 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 represented Puerto Rico in international competition. The pugilist compiled several national championships and recognitions, including his division's silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games
.
and Pan American medalist José Miguel Cotto
. Two of his uncles, Miguel Cotto Sr. and Evangelista Cotto are former boxers and work 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 championship 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.
. 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 (13:9). 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 chossing 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
(26:9). 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
(9:8) in his debut and Miguel Marriaga of Colombia (19:18) in the quarterfinals, but didn't qualify for the Olympic Games after losing to Robson Conceiçao
(24:6) 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.
, 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. On September 25, 2010, Cotto wins by decision against Enrique “Kike” Quiñónez in six rounds.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
professional
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
who currently competes in the lightweight
Lightweight
Light-weight is a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight.-Professional boxing:The lightweight division is over 130 pounds and up to 135 pounds weight class in the sport of boxing....
division. He is a member of the Cotto family, which has produced a professional world champion and multiple amateur medalists. As an amateur, Cotto represented Puerto Rico in international competition. The pugilist compiled several national championships and recognitions, including his division's silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games
Boxing at the 2007 Pan American Games
The Men's Boxing Tournament at the 2007 Pan American Games was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 20 to July 28. It served as a qualification tournament for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, PR China...
.
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 CottoMiguel Cotto
Miguel Ángel Cotto Vázquez is a Puerto Rican professional boxer and the reigning WBA light middleweight champion. He is the younger brother of contender Jose Miguel Cotto and cousin of Abner Cotto...
and Pan American medalist José Miguel Cotto
José Miguel Cotto
José Miguel Cotto Vázquez is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He is the brother of the four-time World Champion boxer Miguel Angel Cotto...
. Two of his uncles, Miguel Cotto Sr. and Evangelista Cotto are former boxers and work in other aspects of the sport. Other members of the family practice other sports, such as professional wrestler Carlos Cotto
Carlos Cotto
Carlos Omar Cotto Cruz is an Puerto Rican professional wrestler, also known by his ring names, El Chicano and El Ilegal.-Personal life:...
. 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 championship 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 RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. 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
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
. In the later, he was matched against Khedafi Djelkhir
Khedafi Djelkhir
Khédafi Djelkhir, or sometimes Khesafi Djelkhir, is a French featherweight amateur boxer of Algerian origin...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan 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
Aruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
, 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
2007 Pan American Games
The 2007 Pan American Games, officially known as the XV Pan American Games, were a major continental multi-sport event that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 13 to July 29, 2007. A total of 5,633 athletes from 42 National Olympic Committees competed in 332 events in 34 sports and in...
, 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
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, 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
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
with scores of 22:9. In the quarterfinals Cotto was matched against Luis Del Valle
Luis Del Valle
Luis Orlando Del Valle Valentín is a professional boxer from Puerto Rico.- Biography :Luis Orlando, who is related to former WBO bantamweight champion Rafael Del Valle, began boxing at the age of 14 at the Caná Boxing Club in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, losing his first amateur fight despite a spirited...
, a Puerto Rican who represented the United States, winning by points (13:9). In the semifinals, he defeated Davi Sousa of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, 19:14. With this victory Cotto advanced to the finals, where he lost to Idel Torriente
Idel Torriente
Idel Torriente Leal is a Cuban amateur boxer who won the Pan American featherweight title 2007 and qualified for the Olympics.-Career:...
5:7, after chossing to fight despite being affected by a cold. Cotto then participated in the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships
2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships
The 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships were held in Chicago, United States from October 23, 2007 to November 3, 2007. It was held at the UIC Pavilion. It was the biggest World Championships in AIBA history. The championships were originally awarded to Moscow...
, intending to gain a spot in the roster that participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. However, he lost his first contest to European Youth Champion Vasyl Lomachenko
Vasyl Lomachenko
Vasyl Anatoliyovich Lomachenko is a Ukrainian amateur boxer who won the silver medal at the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships, a gold medal at the 2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships and the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the featherweight division. Lomachenko is coached by...
(26:9). 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
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
, Cotto participated in the American Olympic Qualifications. He defeated Jesús Cuéllar of Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
(9:8) in his debut and Miguel Marriaga of Colombia (19:18) in the quarterfinals, but didn't qualify for the Olympic Games after losing to Robson Conceiçao
Robson Conceiçao
Robson Conceição is a Brazilian amateur boxer who fought at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the men's featherweight division.-Career:...
(24:6) in the semifinals. On July 20, 2008, he joined Miguel Cotto's team and traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, 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 compossed 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 RicoCaguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
, 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. On September 25, 2010, Cotto wins by decision against Enrique “Kike” Quiñónez in six rounds.