Miguel Cotto at the WBC Convention!

By
Michele Chong
-
8
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Puerto Rican Star in Las Vegas

Just a week after he stopped bitter rival Antonio Margarito in their highly-contested rematch, Miguel Cotto joined Jose Sulaiman and Mauricio Sulaiman’s famed organization at the star-studded World Boxing Council’s (WBC) 49th World Convention at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

I ran into the Puerto Rican puncher as we all headed into the Opening Ceremonies for this historic convention.

As I said hello to the fighter, I noticed that his face has healed from the marks made by the fists of Margarito. Not a mark left on his mug. In their December 3 rematch, Cotto exacted revenge against his nemesis with 86 shots to Tony’s already-damaged right eye. In this New York feud on the canvas, the Boricua scored a victory over the “Tijuana Tornado” after the doctors halted the contest right before the tenth round.

As his fellow fighters and fans congratulated the Top Rank superstar on his fresh win, what’s next for Miguel Angel Cotto?

Recently, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was heard calling him out. Junior also called out Canelo Alvarez, but the word around town is that JCC Jr. may face Sergio Martinez next. Red-headed Mexican hero Canelo was also calling out Cotto, while some want a Shane Mosley–Miguel Cotto rematch.

Wouldn’t it be something if these pugilists could all face each other? If the promoters could ever agree to terms, perhaps one day we’d have another round robin explosion like the classic ring rivalries of Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler.

For now, the 31-year-old took his place among the elite champions in the boxing world. Having won a WBC International belt early in his career, Cotto (37-2, 30 KOs) joined over 100 champions as the action-packed convention began with a bang.

Meeting and greeting the WBC delegates, prizefighters and fans, Miguel received a heavy load of congratulations from all.

With the Margarito match in the books, we will have to wait and see what’s next for the boxer from Caguas.

WHO DO YOU WANT MIGUEL COTTO TO FACE NEXT?

Photos by Michele Chong

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Yep cotto had a good gameplan. But aside from that the only addition i saw compared to the first fight, was the clinching, pushing and hanging of his opponent’s head. Not hating, im just mentioning what i saw. Good gameplan tho.

  2. JESUS A. Yes, he can TRY to start off quicker but it would be completely out of his character. He would probably have to TOTALLY sacrifice whatever sense of defense he has, which is practically none. In his HEART and MIND he’s virtually an all offense and no defense fighter and prefers it that way. That’s what makes him a ONE dimensional fighter in my book. What happens when he faces a another fighter with the hand speed or power similar to Shane Mosley?? Remember, Margarito is not getting any younger. The punishment he’s received in the past will be creeping up on him as time goes by and the top fighters of the division will capitalize on it. His days as top fighter are coming to an end. The elite ones are practically over.

  3. @ EZ E,
    Margarito is widely know for being a slow starter. The least he can do to improve is to start off faster and start going to the body early. If not, he’ll be the one dimensional fighter you described.

  5. I just rather only say that Cotto executed a sound fight plan. Actually he’s the fighter that had the talent to improve his previous performance. Tony is a one dimensional fighter, what you’ve seen in the past is what you’ll ALWAYS get from him, he knows no other way. It’s what got him to where he’s gotten. He can’t improve, he is and always has been what he is, nothing more, nothing less. On the other hand there was plenty of room for Cotto to improve, he did and he won.

    I ask: What can Margarito do to prepare and make improvements for a third fight? hmmm… NOTHING!! Basically, he’ll go back to being his old self.

  6. Two things, he healed fast because 1) he did a better job to evade Margarito’s upper-cuts 2) No loaded gloves. I think he executed an excellent plan of not getting into the ropes, not letting Margarito press him (push him off/grab), had more gas for a tough fight and controlled the speed of the fight.

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