Cotto knocks out Gomez for WBA welterweight title

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Miguel Cotto retained his WBA welterweight championship with a fifth-round technical knockout against Alfonso Gomez in Atlantic City on Saturday.

Cotto was dominant throughout, landing punches almost at will against Gomez. He was credited with a knockdown near the end of round two, although television replays suggested it was a slip.

There was no doubt about the next knockdown with Gomez crumpling in the corner after a left uppercut to the stomach.

Gomez was knocked down again after a left jab in the fifth and at the end of the round referee Randy Newman halted the contest on the advice of the ringside physician.

Cotto improved to 32-0 with 26 knockouts and is expected to fight next on July 26, against Mexico's Antonio Margarito, who knocked out Kermit Cintron to win the IBF title on the same card.

(Writing by Kieran Mulvaney in Washington; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)