Team Margarito: Cotto Will Target The Eye, We're Ready

By Ryan Burton

In an earlier article on BoxingScene.com, WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto made it clear that he plans to target the surgically repaired right eye of Antonio Margarito. The two boxers have been on a roller coaster ride for the last few days, while the New York State Athletic Commission was deciding the fate of Margarito's application for a boxing license. 

After hours of deliberation (that felt like weeks) on Tuesday afternoon, the NYSAC finally granted Margarito a license and the rematch moves forward as planned for December 3rd at New York's Madison Square Garden.
 
But, the fact remains that Margarito's eye still appears abnormal regardless of the NYSAC's ruling.  Anyone who tuned in to HBO's first episode of 24/7 could clearly see that Margarito's eye had a grotesque look to it. The Mexican fighter injured his eye during last year's twelve round beating at the hands of Manny Pacquiao.

Cotto plans to punish Margarito, as he believes the Mexican boxer used illegal plaster-laced handwraps in their July 2008 clash. Margarito won the fight with a technical knockout in eleven.

"I'm going to use any kind of advantage I feel I have over him, everything I have in the ring," said Cotto. "I'm going to fight like always, with my heart and my soul. I'm going to do my work. He was playing with the health of somebody else, attempting to kill - he used plaster on his wraps, he used a weapon on me - he has to be treated like a criminal."
 
During a recent appearance on The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com's official audio show, Margarito's trainer, Robert Garcia, said they expect Cotto to go after Margarito's right eye.  Garcia reiterated that his fighter is healthy and that he is not risking further damage by facing Cotto.

"He probably will target his eye but Tony's eye is in great condition. There is no risk of any bad injuries. Tony is ready to go.  The doctors cleared him and there is no issue at all with his eye," Garcia told The Boxing Lab. 

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton.