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I'm sitting here watching Cotto/Mayorga and seeing Cotto with snapping punches, a ramming left jab, and a sharp left hook. Did he take punches from Mayorga? Of course, he doesn't have the best defense in the world AND Mayorga is a fairly awkward fighter that gives a lot of people fits because of how unconventional he is with his attack patterns. Hell, judging from the first FOUR ROUNDS in Mosley/Mayorga, you would've thought that it was going to be a little rough between him and Mosley down the stretch. Mayorga isn't a downright horrible fighter, he's just not elite, but awkward enough to not allow you to go all-out on him. Hell, the only guy in the last ten years to dispatch Mayorga without ANY trouble was Oscar de la Hoya because even Tito took some punches in his TKO victory. So let's cut Cotto some slack...
I'm fairly certain you all guys know who I am by now and how I try to be respectful and keep things in perspective. I've been debating about Cotto/Margarito II for the last few days with people over here and casual fans (those that only tune in to watch PPV fights) see as Cotto going into a fight to take an utter beating at the hands of Antonio Margarito. And while I could see Margarito's pressure style giving Cotto fits, I can't bring myself to BELIEVE Margarito will win again.
You don't have to agree, but consider the following points:
1-) Ever since Cotto and Margarito fought, Cotto's record has been 4-1 (3KO's) while Margarito's has been 1-2 (0 KO's).
2-) Cotto has an underrated jab and a solid left hook, which will land on Margarito's affected eye.
3-) Their fight was fairly even. You can't look at that first fight and say Margarito was putting a beatdown on him since round 1. This wasn't Jones, Jr./Toney or B-Hop/Pavlik, Cotto was actually in the fight. He simply made mistakes that must be fixed, which are to stay from the ropes and clinch.
4-) Cotto is NOT Ricky Hatton and Margarito is not Pacquiao. In other words, he CAN take punishment and Margarito isn't knocking Cotto out like some people believe. Cotto is susceptible to punches (and he WILL get tagged) but Margarito needs time to knock you out. And to be honest, if you are going in there against the first man to beat you (by TKO) and the fight has a PR-Mexican rivalry background, and you are FIGHTING in your hometown, there is NO way Cotto will allow himself to go down again and give Margarito the TKO victory. If the going gets tough, all Cotto has to do is get on his bike and reach the bell and recover. Cotto's going to reach the final bell even if he is taking a beating, he won't quit again. That's why this is going to be intriguing should he begin to take a lot of punishment, Cotto won't quit even if his body is begging him for air and although this might sound like a downfall, consider the following point...
5-) They are fighting in Madison Square Garden, Cotto's adopted home. This means that Cotto can throw a seven punch combination, land only two punches, and people will be cheering even over that. Like it or not, that will influence judges. If there are ANY close rounds, you KNOW who they're going to give them to.
6-) In the worst case scenario, the politics of boxing will be in play. Even if Margarito does enough to WARRANT a victory in a rousing slugfest, the judges will give it to Cotto in order to set up a trilogy, which in the end, means more money for Bob.
The two questions regarding Margarito:
a-) After his battles with Cotto, Mosley, and Pacquiao, will Margarito's chin FINALLY show deterioration. Sooner or later, it dissolves, doesn't it? Considering his fighting style and the fact that he's been fighting since he was 15 years old and he's now 33, that's a lot of punishment to take over an 18 year career.
b-) After that nasty eye injury against Pacquiao, will Margarito's socket keep itself intact or will a cut open up allowing Cotto to take advantage of it?
Guys, agree, disagree, debate!
Also, I'm taking bets on this fight! 2:1 odds with Cotto...feel free to PM me!
I'm fairly certain you all guys know who I am by now and how I try to be respectful and keep things in perspective. I've been debating about Cotto/Margarito II for the last few days with people over here and casual fans (those that only tune in to watch PPV fights) see as Cotto going into a fight to take an utter beating at the hands of Antonio Margarito. And while I could see Margarito's pressure style giving Cotto fits, I can't bring myself to BELIEVE Margarito will win again.
You don't have to agree, but consider the following points:
1-) Ever since Cotto and Margarito fought, Cotto's record has been 4-1 (3KO's) while Margarito's has been 1-2 (0 KO's).
2-) Cotto has an underrated jab and a solid left hook, which will land on Margarito's affected eye.
3-) Their fight was fairly even. You can't look at that first fight and say Margarito was putting a beatdown on him since round 1. This wasn't Jones, Jr./Toney or B-Hop/Pavlik, Cotto was actually in the fight. He simply made mistakes that must be fixed, which are to stay from the ropes and clinch.
4-) Cotto is NOT Ricky Hatton and Margarito is not Pacquiao. In other words, he CAN take punishment and Margarito isn't knocking Cotto out like some people believe. Cotto is susceptible to punches (and he WILL get tagged) but Margarito needs time to knock you out. And to be honest, if you are going in there against the first man to beat you (by TKO) and the fight has a PR-Mexican rivalry background, and you are FIGHTING in your hometown, there is NO way Cotto will allow himself to go down again and give Margarito the TKO victory. If the going gets tough, all Cotto has to do is get on his bike and reach the bell and recover. Cotto's going to reach the final bell even if he is taking a beating, he won't quit again. That's why this is going to be intriguing should he begin to take a lot of punishment, Cotto won't quit even if his body is begging him for air and although this might sound like a downfall, consider the following point...
5-) They are fighting in Madison Square Garden, Cotto's adopted home. This means that Cotto can throw a seven punch combination, land only two punches, and people will be cheering even over that. Like it or not, that will influence judges. If there are ANY close rounds, you KNOW who they're going to give them to.
6-) In the worst case scenario, the politics of boxing will be in play. Even if Margarito does enough to WARRANT a victory in a rousing slugfest, the judges will give it to Cotto in order to set up a trilogy, which in the end, means more money for Bob.
The two questions regarding Margarito:
a-) After his battles with Cotto, Mosley, and Pacquiao, will Margarito's chin FINALLY show deterioration. Sooner or later, it dissolves, doesn't it? Considering his fighting style and the fact that he's been fighting since he was 15 years old and he's now 33, that's a lot of punishment to take over an 18 year career.
b-) After that nasty eye injury against Pacquiao, will Margarito's socket keep itself intact or will a cut open up allowing Cotto to take advantage of it?
Guys, agree, disagree, debate!
Also, I'm taking bets on this fight! 2:1 odds with Cotto...feel free to PM me!
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