Miguel Cotto fought until the final bell and lost, but Miguel Cotto also won (Getty Images)

“You’re a hell of a champion…you’re the toughest guy I ever fought.”—Mayweather to Cotto in the ring after the fight.

And that’s what happened to Miguel Cotto tonight as he lost the fight but earned $8 million in the process. Given the quick manner in which he left the ring after the fight, it may well be that this will be his swan song. If so, that’s a great package with which to retire.

However, rather than take an easy way out, Cotto came to win and he gave it 110% fighting as hard as he could right up until the very end. In fact, as late as the end of the eighth round, he landed several punches to the head, prompting Mayweather to shake his head as if they didn’t hurt—a sure sign that they did hurt.

However, it simply was a case of too much technical skill, accuracy, and speed, as Floyd began landing looping rights behind the guard of the game Miguel and then made an even more effective adjustment when he started drilling Cotto with sharp left uppercuts. These moves, along with his uncommon stamina, allowed Mayweather to dominate late and seal the deal over the last four rounds, In fact, he almost floored Cotto in the 12th round as he pulled out a UD win to remain unbeaten in 43 fights. Two judges scored the fight 117-111 and the third had it 118-110.

After the fight, Floyd was both gracious and fresh notwithstanding a bloody nose that stayed with him for most of the fight. ‘‘He’s a tough competitor,’’ Mayweather said. ‘‘He came to fight. He didn’t just come to survive. I dug down and fought him back.’’ Floyd reportedly made at least $32 million, but was forced to fight every minute of all 12 rounds against the relentless Puerto Rican champion whose battered face reflected the accuracy of Mayweather’s punches.

As for the popular Cotto, his fans didn’t get a chance to hear his thoughts after the fight, but they do know that he will never have a financial worry for the rest of his days and, for that matter, for the rest of his children’s days.

Yes, Cotto fought until the final bell and lost, but he also won.