Johnny Ortiz: Breaking Down The ESPN PPV

Antonio "Maguina de Gulpes/ The Punching Machine" vs. Kermit "El Asesino/The Killer" Clintron. The mere thought of a punching machine going up against a killer should be enough to send euphoric thoughts of a sure-fire epic battle to every fight fan that relishes a classic matchup. ESPN’s endeavor to enter the waters of PPV should prove to be a successful venture, in that it has come up with a very competitive four-bout (maybe three) card this Saturday night at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, commencing at 6:PM. The main event will feature two very solid welterweights in Margarito and Cintron, a "natural" WBO Welterweight title fight between the Mexican champion Antonio Margarito, making his fifth title defense against a territorial rival, Puerto Rican Kermit Cintron. Anytime you pit a Mexican against a Puerto Rican in a meaningful fight, the Latino blood catches fire leading up to the fight. Margarito and Cintron do not figure to disappoint their adoring fans. Antonio has only lost once in nearly nine years. He has won 22 of his last 24 fights, one being a no-contest affair. On July 21, 2001, he tried testing the waters at 154 pounds, he challenged WBO champion Daniel Santos in a fight that was declared a no-contest due to a cut ruled as an accidental head butt. Nearly eight months after the no-contest affair, Antonio won the WBO welterweight crown on March 16, 2002, by stopping champion Antonio Diaz in the 10th round. Margarito’s punch output was amazing, in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds, he threw 1197 punches…that stands at #2 all-time for a welterweight contest. Margarito accomplished this in only ten rounds. That breaks down to an average of 120 punches thrown per round. details]