I know there's the whole handwraps controversy, but just looking at Margarito's resume, you can't help but be impressed. Not just who he fought, but when he fought them...
Kermit Cintron x2 Margarito KO'd an undefeated Cintron, and then did it again for fun
Miguel Cotto Also undefeated, P4P elite, Prime. Stopped in Round 11
Joshua Clottey UD12. Clottey's only loss up to this point was a DQ (in 1999)
Paul Williams L12 to an undefeated Paul Williams. One of the best fights i've ever seen. Close, competitive fight.
Manny Pacquiao He lost, but he gave Pacquiao his *roughest* fight in years. He got his orbital bone broken - i'm still amazed he made it to the end.
Sergio Martinez Although this win gets written off because Martinez was a bit green, bear in mind this was Martinez's only loss between turning pro in 1997 and 2009 (which was the loss to PWill). Margarito was 23 at the time, and Martinez 26
I'm going to be as objective as possible for this breakdown of the possible factors in a rematch with Miguel Cotto (In December?) :boxing:
1) Against Pacquiao, Margarito had a couple of brilliant rallys against the ropes, and his chin/stamina was still there. How does Cotto deal with that? Margarito is even bigger at 154.
2) How much has Cotto really changed under Steward?
3) Will Margarito's eye be a weak point which Cotto could exploit? Possibly force a ref stoppage?
4) Were the handwraps an issue in the first fight? I'm still torn on this.
- On one hand, why would he have handwraps for Mosley, who was seen as past it, and not for prime Cotto?
- BUT Margarito still showed lots of power last November. He hurt Manny Pacquiao ffs...
I'm hyped, hope the rematch happens :boxing: