This past week Miguel Cotto made me eat my words. I thought Cotto would not be able to stand in front of Antonio Margarito, I thought Cotto would gas and end up getting stopped late. In the end, Cotto proved me and many others wrong. He stood his ground when he needed to; he took some good shots from the “Tijuana Tornado” and never wilted under pressure Margarito applied. After 4 rounds Antonio’s eye was starting to show the effects of being battered from Cotto. What started as a general
doctor check on the eye, turned into the inevitable end as after the 10th round the ring side doctor called the fight due to swelling. Miguel Cotto had done what he set out to do, take advantage of Margarito’s eye and beat the guy who had beat him 3 years earlier.
There was no late comeback for Margarito and his corner, just pleading with the doctor asking the fight to last one more round. Margarito was not given more time, in the end his eye, his defense and his pride failed him. Margarito would state that he could have continued but with all the concerns and issues that were raised with the repaired right eye, the New York Athletic Commission stayed on the safe side. While many will argue that it was a bit premature stoppage, it may have been the correct call-at least for this particular fight. No one wants to be remembered as the Commission that allowed a fighter to lose sight because they weren’t willing to stop a fight sooner rather than later.
Cotto earned this victory, for the first time in a while he looked fresh after the 8th round, he looked like he could go a full 12 rounds and showed little signs of being gassed. Perhaps, he finally found the right trainer, maybe this fight meant a little more to him. Regardless of what helped propel Cotto to one of his best and most satisfying wins, Cotto proved he still has fight left in him.
Where does Cotto go in 2012? Perhaps a fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr or maybe Mayweather. If a Mayweather fight falls through with Pacquiao, Cotto is a hot name right now such as Mosley was when he beat Margarito. Either way, Cotto’s name will be mentioned a lot the next few months.
As for Margarito’s future. While Saturday night’s loss only further cements the belief that he had loaded wraps in fights other than the Mosley fight, Margarito is still a name. While it’s doubtful he will win a (legitimate) belt anytime soon, he still is a durable opponent for many big names in the welterweight or light middleweight division. Many have said an Alfredo Angulo fight would be huge. It would be an interesting matchup and one that would make for an exciting fight. However, with Angulo being with Goldenboy and Margarito with Top Rank, it may take a little more than being a fan friendly fight to be made. Antonio may also want to think about going down to 147lb. He has not had the same type of success above 147lb in his career as he has had at 147lb and below.
And then…
Hats off to Top Rank and their live event production of Saturday night’s fights. Between their 360 jumbo tron in Las Vegas to their set up in Madison Square Garden, Top Rank has raised the bar. I have a feeling that Todd Duboef has taken a few pointers from the UFC and their production team as well as fights across the pond that put a lot of time and money into the production and lighting during the fights. Being live at a world title fight should have some flare to it, I am not asking for WWE, just more than music and a spotlight.
I understand that Madison Square Garden has aura about itself and has been dubbed the “Mecca of Boxing” and while I do believe that New York City has great history as well as MSG, I don’t think it’s the best place to host a fight today. Obviously Las Vegas and MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Caesars Palace have been host to a good amount of fight between them since the late 70’s early 80’s.
Perhaps I am a little biased and prefer Las Vegas or LA over NYC. However, it also comes down to convenience. Las Vegas can do everything all in one location. Press Conference, Weigh-in, fight, party and closed circuit if need be, along with more ease of access to whatever one wants. It’s a one stop shop and you don’t have to take a map to know where Mandalay Bay is in regards to MGM Grand, same can’t be said for NYC and it’s 100 plus streets, avenues and everything in between.
From what I can see there are a couple of posters that can’t accept a loss with dignity and class. Margarito was gallant to the end but he was out gunned by the better boxer. To assume that Margarito would’ve turned it around in the remaining rounds is like expecting snow in the Amazon. Even though he had a decent round in the 9th he was still on the receiving end and compubox numbers were in favor of Cotto, who was continually rattling head as the round ended. I’m sure that Margarito could’ve fought another round but he was only going to continue to get battered by Cotto’s on his blind side. Those left hooks by Cotto were still zeroing in with pin point accuracy and I guess the commission doctors were convinced that it was too dangerous to allow it to continue and stopped it considering Margarito’s prior surgery. Better too early that too late.
This is what happens when a cotto fan gets hurt lol…… Talking about lunatics….
This why happens when a cotto fan gets hurt. Lol… Talking about lunatics…..
A PACQUIAO FAN?? Me?? NO WAY!! Man, you must be really confused. I hope that you’re not on drugs or smoking that sherm stuff. A Pacquiao fan?? No Loco, you must have gotten me mixed up with Freddie Roach or Ariza.
Anyway, as for your “I’ll let Chavez Jr do the talking” comment. Are you serious. hahahaha!! You must be joking, right?? Please tell me that it was only a joke, amigo. hahaha You’re funny!! hahahaha!! You should do “Stand Up” comedy. Move over George Lopez, here comes MEXICAN MAFIA, the funniest Raza in the Southwest!! Well, you’re either a comedian or… A LUNATIC!! Chavez Jr?? What happened to Margarito?? Did you fire him?? Dump him?? Divorce him?? Kick him off your personal ATG list and out of your life?? Who next in your life?? Marimero Paez Jr?? or are you playing him dirty with Finito Lopez Jr?? Pipino Cuevas Jr?? Salvador Sanchez Jr??
Poor, poor Tony Margarito, nobody loves him anymore, not even MEXICAN MAFIA!! What happened to the word ‘LOYALTY’?? Another forgotten hero, huh?? But honestly, I don’t blame you. Tony will FOREVER be remembered as the Incredible Human Punching Bag that got caught cheating. I’m sure you’ll agree.
But, going back to Chavez Jr… hahahaha!! hahahaha!!! And.. YOU’RE gonna let him do the talking for YOU?? hahahahaha!!! You’re one funny vato or… A LUNATIC!!
And… don’t forget to take your REALITY medication. I will help you to think better than you ever have before. Peace!!
Read my last comment below. why? Cause you are all sounding like pacquiao fans.
MAFIA hmmm… I wouldn’t as far to say that you have a weird ‘crush’ on Tony but you do have to admit that you’re one of his biggest fanatically beloved fans and as the saying goes.. “LOVE IS BLIND” And your admiration for him has you blind.
I’ll agree that Margarito can still beat half of the rated jr middleweights out there right now but he’s slipping. It’s all downhill fron here on in. He’s no longer a major player. If Cotto had the power of “El Perro Angulo or Kirkland surely Tony would’ve been kayo’d once again. His punching power is no longer as evident and resistance to take punishment will now slowly begin to fade. If he drags on his career too much longer Tony Margarito, your hero, will be just a ‘name’ opponent to add on and fatten to the resumes of the true Young Lions on the way up.
MAFIA, I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. Actually I’m trying to inject you with a dose of medicine that you badly need…..it’s called REALITY!! And don’t worry, you can’t overdose on REALITY. The more REALITY you get, the better and smarter you’ll feel. You don’t have to thank me. It’s FREE, NO CHARGE.
MAFIA “LOL”?? hmmm.. looks like you’re just like your hero Margarito, you “lol” every time you get hit, huh??
Ill let chavez jr. Do the talking. And when he does ill come back here and let u know, i told u so.
Lol
MafiaMex has a crush on cheater Margarito. 🙂 so cute.
Margarito let us all down. His whole career = fraud. End.
i was eating mine to lol join a million others. cotto did a great job,very focused.. my hat off to him. .
Good opposite view of the story. But i think cotto is done the same as margarito.
@Santos hmmm… If you remember well, in their first fight Cotto was ahead on the scorecards after 8 or 9 rounds. The difference was NOT what Pacquiao did to Margo did 7 months ago. Cotto was simply capable of making the adjustments to better his performance. Margo can’t. Margo is Margo, not gifted enough to make finer adjustments and can’t fight any other way. Smiling when getting his head rattled wasn’t intimidating Cotto. It doesn’t work anymore. It’s actually Margo’s NATURAL reaction when he gets stung. Both YOU and me and the WHOLE world saw the dumb smile on Margarito’s face as Mosley knocked him senselessly to the canvas and the ref halted the fight. Remember that? Of course you do, we ALL do. In the post fight interview and press conference Margo continued to say that Cotto still hits like a little girl BUT.. that ‘ little girl’ had his head BOUNCING AROUND all night, like one of those ‘bobble head’ souvenirs toys. Then he cried saying that the damage to his eye was caused by “tocones”, alleging that Cotto did it by rubbing his gloves in Margo’s eye. Oh well…. believe what you wish but the facts speak for themselves
I’m sorry, I meant to address my last comment to Gabreal, not Edgar.
Don’t feel bad Edgar, a couple weeks ago Juan Manuel Marquez made me eat my words.
I don’t care who thinks they know what will happen in any fight, nobody ever knows. If both fighters are trying, you never know what might happen.
Rick Farris
Margaritos career was made off his win over Cotto. It’s only fitting that Cotto ends it.
Margarito is done!
Santos your a dumb as and no nothing about boxing …..any way give credit where credit is due …..eat those words ….and like it ….
Margarito should not fight Miguel Jotto yet, I’m sure if his eye was good, jotto would be crying now!!
Thanks to Pacuiao cotto won this time, but if he fight Canelo Alvares or Cavez jr. or Serquio Martinez, or Amir Khan, he will get retired!!! All he does is run and run and hug when he gets tired!!
He is sorry ass!!!!
Thank you for being honest. I have heard and talked to many people who will not admit that Margaritio lost a fair fight. Cotto’s footwork was amazing in this fight and he showed a lot of energy (he bounced around that ring for 9 full rounds!). He really did look like a new fighter in that ring. Anyway, again, it is refreshing to see that someone is seeing the fight for what it was and not letting pride get in the way.
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