Walking towards the ring seemed more hostile than it did against Gatti.  Maybe this time I was more aware of my surroundings.  Maybe this time the fans were louder.  Still, their insults and their "Cotto" chants were did not face me.  I calmly walked enjoying every single instance of my first title fight.  Even if I had to be the "enemy."  In my mind I was ready.  In my heart I was ready.  When he walked into the ring I still calm.  I waited for the presentation with anticipation of what was ahead.  Then the time came to bare my body and expose it to the air, the eyes, and the pain.  When the bell rang, I anticipated a more aggressive Cotto.  I jabbed and hooked and moved but my punches did not have power and lacked the energy they usually have.  His power wasn't devastating, but his accuracy was precise.  Seconds before the end of the initial round my legs buckled under a simple jab.  At that moment I knew it was going to be a long night.  At least I wanted it to be.  My body was not responding to me, and I was not responding to my father's instructions.  As the rounds progressed the fight changes much.  I was surprised at how bad I was performing.  With all the pre-fight health issues I had, I still thought I had a chance. A chance to shock the World, a chance to land the perfect punch or a chance to finish the fight.  But unlike my previous visit to The Boardwalk Hall months back, the stars were not aligned in my favor.  My father's begging instructions were not connecting to my head and my head wasn't moving enough.  I could feel my left eye swelling up.  I was not hurt and I knew I could continue, but I also knew I was not winning a single round and by the doctors expression I knew he was thinking of stopping it.  I wanted to go out there and land that punch that could chance history, but fighting one of the best fighters in the World combined with not enough preparation made the odds of landing that shot a long one.  My face looked worse than how it was, but the Doctor probably thought I felt the same from the inside when in reality, from the inside I felt ready to get back on my feet and continue till the end.  That's what hurt me the most that the fight was stopped.  I wanted to finish the right on my feet or on the canvas, but not on the stool.  But it is what it is.  After everybody rushed in the ring, everything seems like a haze. I saw him get the belt and just wanted to leave.  But not before waving to the fans for the support and also to relatives and friends that came from all over to show their support.