“Fuck Cotto” that was one of the last comments Antonio Margarito boldly stated at the end of the second and unfortunately last episode of the two-part HBO 24/7 series. In the last two weeks leading up to the rematch this Saturday night from the Madison Square Garden in New York City, fans and casual observers had a chance to see two men at their job who truly do not care for one another. What’s even better… these two men will settle their differences in the ring, punching each other out for our enjoyment and pleasure.
Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito showed their disdain for each other in the HBO face-off that aired after the Manny Pacquiao Juan Manuel Marquez fight Nov.12th. In the 2 weeks since, the show has displayed how much dislike they and their respective camps and families have for one another. The questions surrounding their first fight and what may have been in Margarito’s gloves in 2008.
It’s been said that fighting out of hate and anger usually never works out, but what if both men are fighting out of hate and anger? This fight has all the makings of Fight of the year. However, fights are not fought across a table with a mediator or produced in a two part 30 minute show.
It takes a special kind of person to step in between ropes, to take the physical punishment boxing inflicts on the body as well as the brain. It’s not a sport for everyone and sometimes even the fighters don’t make it out alive. Margarito may have cheated, maybe he didn’t. Cotto believes Margarito cheated, as many others do as well. Only Margarito knows the truth and while a strong majority of people it seems feels that Margarito did know what was in his wraps, only Margarito knows the truth.
Saturday night Cotto can put Margarito in his past; but any questions he has had since Margarito was caught with illegal wraps in his rear view mirror. A win and Cotto will be able to lift the cloud that has been over his head since July 26th, 2008. Another loss to Margarito and we may never hear Cotto talk about these 2 fights ever again. Cotto needs this win, for his fans, for pride and most of all for himself.
If Margarito wins Saturday night, it will be vindication of his past and a more salt in the wound for Cotto. Margarito needs a win to quiet his critics who believe he is a cheat, a dirty fighter and an all around asshole. On HBO 24/7, Margarito has been defiant about his wraps scandal, defensive and at times, prideful, Margarito said “if he (Cotto) thinks I had plaster, it will hurt like I was using plaster.” Margarito has shown he willing to leave it all in the ring, he almost lost an eye.
What is he willing to do to win this Saturday night?