Cotto stops Rodriguez in 3rd round

In this Nov. 27, 2012, file photo, Miguel Cotto, of Puerto Rico, cools down after a boxing workout at Gleason’s Gym in the Brooklyn borough of New York. AP

ORLANDO, Florida — Miguel Cotto stopped Delvin Rodriguez in the third round Saturday in a junior middleweight bout.

Cotto improved to 38-4 with his 31st knockout in his first fight since being beaten by Austin Trout in December. Rodriguez dropped to 28-7-3.

Cotto attacked Rodriguez from the outset, going after him with left hooks to the body.

Near the end of the second round, Cotto landed a strong combination, finishing with a left hook to the head that staggered Rodriguez. The Puerto Rican star finished off his opponent with a flurry of head shots that put Rodriguez to the canvas. Referee Frank Santore Jr. stopped the fight 18 seconds into the third round.

With the win, Cotto could possibly set up a bout with Canelo Alvarez, who lost to Floyd Mayweather last month.