Miguel Cotto vs. Austin Trout, billed as Showdown, was a professional boxing match contested on December 1, 2012 for the WBA (Regular) super welterweight title.
Background After losing the "super" version of the WBA super welterweight title to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2012, Miguel Cotto announced his return to the ring at the beginning of September to challenge Austin Trout, the holder of the "regular" WBA super welterweight title, on 1 December at Madison Square Garden, in what would be his eighth fight at the venue where he was a perfect 7–0. Before settling on Trout, Cotto and his camp had discussions with Manny Pacquiao about a rematch of their 2009 fight, but the two sides could not agree on what weight the fight would be held at and Cotto instead pivoted to Trout.Miguel Cotto, Austin Trout to fight, ESPN article, 2012-09–01, Retrieved on 2025-07-24
The featured undercard bout was originally scheduled to feature reigning IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib defending his crown against undefeated prospect Jayson Vélez, who was promoted by Cotto. However, the fight was cancelled when Dib's promoter, rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, had a falling out with Mayweather Jr., who was then co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, who were also co-promoting the Cotto–Trout fight. As a result of the rift between Mayweather and 50 Cent, Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather's manager Al Haymon allegedly pressured Showtime to drop Dib from the card. Showtime relented and Dib was subsequently replaced with Salvador Sánchez II.Trout-Cotto undercard announced, ESPN article, 2012-11–16, Retrieved on 2025-07-27
Prior to the televised event, a memorial 10-count was held for Puerto Rican boxing legend Héctor Camacho. Camacho, who had been raised in New York City, had been shot and killed in his native Puerto Rico roughly a week before on November 24, 2012.Trout hands Cotto first loss at Madison Square Garden, USA Today article, 2012-12–02, Retrieved on 2025-07-27
Trout was ranked as the 7th best Light middleweight by TBRB with Cotto ranked 2nd.
Fight Details Despite entering the fight as an underdog and Cotto's perceived home advantage, Trout cruised to a lopsided unanimous decision winning all but one round on one official scorecard (119–109), while taking the other two scorecards 117–111 (nine rounds to three). Trout got off to a good start, wobbling Cotto with a left in the first round and winning the first two rounds decisively. Cotto performed better in the third and took three of the next four rounds on two of the judge's scorecards, but Trout regained control in the seventh and won every round but one on the scorecards thereafter to take the victory.Shaken in First, Cotto Is Beaten After 12th NY Times article, 2012-12-02 Retrieved on 2025-07-26
Using his height and reach advantage, Trout kept Cotto at bay for most of the fight and landed more jabs (46 to 29), power punches (192 to 154) and overall punches (238 to 183).CompuBox Stats on Boxingscene.com, 2012-12-02 Retrieved on 2025-07-26
Fight card Confirmed bouts: Weight Class Weight vs. Method Round Time NotesSuper Welterweight154 lbs.Austin Trout (c)def.Miguel Cotto UD12Featherweight126 lbs.Jayson Vélezdef.Salvador Sánchez IITKO3/100:38Super Lightweight140 lbs.Michael Perezdef.Fernando CarcamoUD8Super Middleweight168 lbs.Daniel Jacobsdef.Chris FitzpatrickRTD5/83:00Middleweight160 lbs.Jorge Melendezdef.James WinchesterTKO4/80:54Light Middleweight154 lbs.Eddie Gomezdef.Luis HernandezUD6Featherweight126 lbs.Jorge Diazdef.Victor SanchezUD6Lightweight135 lbs.Jeffrey Fontanezdef.Pedro ArcosTKO2/61:23Middleweight160 lbs.John Thompsondef.Elie AugustamaUD6
Broadcasting Country Broadcaster Main Event TV 2 Sport BoxNation Showtime References