Malignaggi managed to go all 12 rounds but Cotto easily outpointed him and fractured the undefeated fighter's face, sending him to the hospital. Malignaggi said Cotto was the hardest puncher he ever faced.

His last fight against Quintana, a fellow Puerto Rican and left-hander, was risky. Cotto moved up to 147 pounds to battle Quintana for the WBA welterweight title.

The fight basically ended when Cotto delivered his signature shot to Quintana's liver. A battered Quintana refused to leave his corner as his trainer pleaded with him to go another round.

"I can't do it," Quintana said. "I can't do it. I'm dead."

Cotto said he felt much stronger fighting Quintana. He no longer had to conserve his stamina as he did at 140. He could let loose with his fists from start to finish.

"Now, you're seeing the real Miguel Cotto," said Cotto's promoter Bob Arum, chief executive of Top Rank Inc. "He's found a natural weight."

Cotto's next bout is against Oktay Urkal (37-3) in March in Puerto Rico. Most boxing commentators believe he'll beat the German. Then there are possible fights down the road with Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley _ perhaps at Madison Square Garden, where Cotto has fought twice before on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

If Cotto can get past these very skilled fighters, it could set up a showdown with Mayweather, who fights Oscar De La Hoya in May.

Arum hopes the two meet.

"We think he'd break Mayweather in two," Arum said. "There is nobody in boxing who hits harder. It's a lot harder to move the body than the head."

HBO boxing analyst Max Kellerman isn't ready to call Cotto the next Felix Trinidad, arguably one of Puerto Rico's best fighters, along with Wilfredo Gomez. He says Cotto has a slugger's chance against Mayweather but he'd be a definite underdog.

Cotto also has to improve his English if he wants to cement his crossover appeal and evolve into one of the sport's superstars. Top Rank says Cotto is taking English classes.

But if he can do that, Cotto could go far in any of three divisions that are bulging with talented fighters, Kellerman says.

"He could be the centerpiece of a truly remarkable era," Kellerman said. "He's the right guy, at the right place, at the right time."

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