If a Puerto Rican and a Mexican are in a car, who is driving?
The police…
I know, its a bad joke. But quite fitting in light of the problems that both Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito have faced since their war last July 26th. Since then the “Tijuana Tornado” has had his boxing license revoked by the California State Athletic Commission since finding illegal hand wraps minutes before his loss of his WBA welterweight title at the fists of “Sugar” Shane Mosley last January.
Last week, Miguel Cotto was involved in a physical altercation with his uncle and long time trainer Evangelista Cotto. It was no secret that the relationship between uncle and nephew was a fragile one but it all came to a head when as Miguel informed his uncle that he will be moving camp to Florida and that Evangelista would not be part of it, a scuffle broke out which led to both fighter and trainer to suffer minor injuries to the face and for a brick to go flying thru the window of Miguel’s 2009 Jaguar.
This past Monday, the Cottos had to face the Caguas, Puerto Rico courthouse where the possibility of one or both facing criminal charges. It was reported that neither one of them would press complaints against each other.
These two incidents help to remind us that fighters are only human with personality traits just like the rest of us. While these two gentlemen possess qualities that make them the world champions they are such as discipline, a strong work ethic and heart they also have faults like any of us.
Although many of us would like to believe that the fighters we so enthusiastically follow thru internet sites, newspaper clippings and television broadcasts are strong willed warriors that not only can defeat their rivals with the strength of their fists but also can handle any day to day problems with the same attributes that helps them be victorious in the ring.
Sometimes that is not enough.
Although it is easier to pin point the character trait that Cotto lacks which lead to the episode last week, it might not be as easy to wrap our collective head around exactly what Margarito has done. If we would like to believe his claim that he didn’t know his trainer had illegally wrapped his hands then we must believe that Margarito is might be a tad naive. If we would like to believe that he knew what was going on all along, then there is no words to describe what his character lacks.
Some excellent points Felipe. I’m not sure that we can equate their differing “offenses”, but completely agree that we should never lose sight of the fact that these athletes are made of flesh and blood like the rest of us.
And the weight they carry on their shoulders has to be considerable. Look at Cotto’s statement afterwards– he mentions his need to continue to make not just his fans, or boxing fans in general– but ALL of Puerto Rico proud. He obviously feels he has the weight of an entire country on his back– that’s a lot of self-imposed pressure to endure. I’m sure the TT feels the same towards Mexico. I know I don’t have such an albatross around my neck when i go into my office each day.
But while a degree of empathy is fine, by the same token, they get no “special treatment” because of their status as world champion athletes either. And when they commit wrongs, serious wrongs , they deserve to be punished/disciplined just like anyone else without any special exceptions.
Not a bad joke, it does remind me of Margarito. What is next on his agenda for cheating?
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