Miguel Cotto gave thousands of his cheering fans exactly what they hoped for on the eve of the national Puerto Rican Day parade.

Overcoming an early cut from an accidental headbutt and several brutal rounds from Joshua Clottey, the popular Cotto fought to a narrow split decision last night inside a packed Madison Square Garden, retaining his WBO welterweight title.

Referee Don Trella scored the fight 116-111 and John McKaie 115-112, both for Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), while Tom Miller had it 114-113 for Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs). The Associated Press scored it 116-112 for Cotto.

"The cut made me fight harder," Cotto said, "but I felt like I was winning all the way."

NFL

ORTON IS BRONCOS' QB

Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels decided to end the suspense early heading into next month's training camp and selected Kyle Orton to be the starting quarterback.

Orton had been competing this offseason with Chris Simms for the starting spot left open by the blockbuster deal that sent Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears on April 3.

TENNIS

A-ROD RETIRES IN SEMIS

Andy Murray reached his first grass-court final yesterday, while Andy Roddick's quest for a fifth title at Queen's Club ended when he had to retire against James Blake with a foot injury.

Murray beat Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-2, 6-4, in their Aegon Championships semifinal in London, before Roddick had to quit at 4-4 in the first set of his match against Blake.

Roddick said the right-foot injury did not seem serious and he hoped to be ready when Wimbledon begins June 22.

DJOKOVIC IN WEBER FINAL

Novak Djokovic beat Olivier Rochus, 7-6 (7), 6-4, yesterday to reach the Gerry Weber Open final in Halle, Germany, where he will play Tommy Haas in a bid for his first grass-court title.

Haas rallied from a 5-2 deficit in the third set to beat Philipp Kohlschreiber, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), in an all-German semifinal at this Wimbledon tuneup.

SHARAPOVA FALLS IN SEMIS

Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon preparations hit a setback yesterday in a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Li Na of China in the Aegon Classic semifinals at Birmingham, England.

Li will play Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia, who defeated Sania Mirza of India, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

And WHAT'S MORE ...

Rich Franklin (27-4) won a unanimous decision over Wanderlei Silva (32-10-1) at UFC 99 yesterday at Cologne, Germany in the sport's first show in its newest territory. ... Connecticut women's basketball coach Jim Calhoun was hospitalized and listed in good condition yesterday after he collapsed after a 50-mile charity bicycle ride during which he fell and broke five ribs.