LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto with 2:05 left in the fight to win a title in a record seventh weight division Saturday night at the MGM Grand.

The welterweight fight was close for several rounds, as each fighter landing meaningful punches. The frenetic second round was a round-of-the-year candidate.

However, Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) put Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs) down in both the third and fourth rounds, which was the beginning of the end. The fourth-round knock down was particularly brutal, as Cotto staggered to all hours he absorbed a left to the chin.

Cotto began to backpedal midway through the fight, perhaps his best strategy to survive. Pacquiao was able to chase him down and deliver considerable punishment, though.

By the end, Cotto's face was bruised and bleeding. Referee Kenny Bayless saved Cotto from further punishmetn by stopping it.

Pacquaio has now had three consecutive victories over star opponents, having stopped Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton previously.