WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto turned on the style in Atlantic City to record a clinical stoppage win over Alfonso Gomez and retain his title.

The Puerto Rican stretched his unbeaten record to 32-0 when he forced the challenger to be stopped on his stool at the end of round five.

Up until then he had dominated the former contestant on 'The Contender', hammering away from the opening bell that showed off his superior boxing skills.

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Gomez had beaten Arturo Gatti and Ben Tackie in his last two fights but found Cotto a step too far before the referee finally put him out of his misery.

The Mexican managed to stay on his feet through the first round but was down on the canvas in the next following a sharp left that followed a heavy body shot.

In a desperate bid to battle back he opted to trade blows with the champion in the third, a decision that resulted in him going down for a second time by a ferocious left to the body as the bell sounded to end the round.

Despite being looked at twice by the doctor during breaks Gomez was allowed to continue, although by now it was clear what the outcome would be.

Cotto continued his merciless destruction with precision punching and a crisp jab put his opponent down again in the fifth.

Although Gomez somehow managed to climb to his feet again the referee rightly decided enough was enough, waving off the contest before any more damage could be done in the sixth.

A fourth successful defence of the WBA crown he claimed by knocking out Carlos Quintana 17 months ago left Cotto in little doubt that he is ready to take on all-comers - including fellow undefeated welterweight Floyd Mayweather.

"I am ready for the next guy. I am going to prepare for everything," said Cotto. "I can't promote my career. I am not a promoter. I am a boxer.

"If Mayweather wants to fight me I am ready. I am not afraid of anybody."

While Pretty Boy may be on the 27-year-old's wish list a fight with Antonio Margarito looks more likely following the Mexican's victory over Kermit Cintron.

For the second time in his career Margarito claimed a world title, this time the IBF version, with a stoppage of Cintron, a compatriot of Cotto.

A vicious body shot ended the bout in the sixth round, The Killer failing to rise from the floor in time to beat the referee's count.

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