PRs: Which win was more gratifying, De La Hoya/Trinidad or Cotto/Margarito 2?

For my non PR friends with an opinion, feel free to choose an option that fits you. Now, this question isn't asking you to select which fight is more historically relevant or anything like that. I am simply asking, as a fan, as a Puerto Rican (or other), which fight, which outcome ultimately was more satisfying for you and you can even talk about the fight for itself. Here is some context for discussion: De La Hoya/Trinidad--A match up between two prime welterweights and the pride of each fighter's respective nationalities. The build up was immense. Both fighters knocking out common opponents like nobodies business all for this matchup. It was essentially the fight to be made, similar to how Pacquaio/Mayweather needs to be made. The analysis was clear, De La Hoya the superior boxer against Trinidad, the superior fighter with middleweight power. The consensus was that De La Hoya's superior skill will win him the day and would neutralize Trinidad's skill sets and power. It was looking like it was going to be a nice, clear UD for De La Hoya, until a change of strategy in the last 3rd of the fight changed the outcome. Trinidad had eeked out a couple of the early rounds to steal a majority decision from De La Hoya in a close and competitive bout. Trinidad went home an even bigger star. Although their career trajectories went completely different. Cotto/Margarito 2--Simple build up. Margarito took a stranglehold of Cotto's prime in 2008 and he's been looking for it since. In 2009, when Margarito was caught with illegal handwraps against Mosley, he took Cotto's soul. Since 2009, Cotto and the fan base have been wrestling with the idea that Margarito may have cheated. Margarito enjoying the role of villainy embraced the role and prodded Cotto and the fan base since. The fight had fans and pundits split. Many predicted that Cotto would fold to Margarito in a similar and even faster fashion, since boxing history has told us that someone who is knocked out by one man, will be knocked out faster in a rematch against the same. Many also predicted that Cotto's superior skill and adjustments will propel him to victory. The fight played out in similar fashion to the original classic, however Cotto sprinkled in aspects of the Mosley/Margs fight and Pac/Margs fight to take home in unquestionable fashion the win he's so longed for. The fight was a TKO win and Cotto was winning 8-1 on all three cards Which win ultimately was more satisfying for the PR fanbase? Discuss and vote

Comments (20)

I gave round 9 to Oscar. That was a clear Oscar round. He landed his best combos in that round. It's all subjective and I understand the diversity in views. I gave it to Trinidad as the official judges did.

14y ago

Exciterx30

14y ago

edgarg

I really think Trinidad managed to win 6 rounds. I gave 1, 4 and 9 through 12. I have seen it multiple times and always score it that way. I don't think Trinidad won but a draw was fair. Trinidad won 9 to 12 inclusive on all 3 judges' cards and he won rd 8 on 2 judges' cards.

14y ago

edgarg

For bush baby BUSH BABY, according to the Judges' final scorecards in the Trinidad- Oscar fight, Trinidad won the last 5 rounds on two cards, and the last 4 on one card.

14y ago

jtcs1981

Nothing personal bro, I just don't think you were understanding the overall call of the question. I mean if Cotto had lost this fight...it would have been a bad thing for all PRs. I mean, forever labeled a quitter, PRs forever lambasted and Tony vindicated after all that has transpired. If Tito had loss, also...are we positive that he would have been the star and island folk lore he became, not sure. Personally, I was satisifed with the win from a standpoint that one of the biggest fights in history was against a Mex/PR and PR won. But overall, I look at the Cotto win and just feel for him. I mean, he could have folded early, like when Tony was coming hard in the 4th, but he stood his ground and fought, then towards the end, he was just muscling him around and beating him up. I mean, you can look at Cotto and see that he looks danger and past failures in the eye and goes towards it. As far as the future fighters...JuanMa, I really can't stand. The Salido win was just a highlight. It'll take alot from JuanMa to allow me to cheer for him. I mean, what he was like, avoiding Caba...I'm not sure its forgiveable. I like WV2 though and hope he can get to Arce and get that win. I wasn't and still not sold on the twins or Cruz to be honest. Who knows. Now Dulorme and De Valle look to be very promising. I can't wait to see the come up on them two. Either way...I don't think ANY of them, short of WV2 has the charimsa, charm and overall skill sets to be close to Tito, Cotto and even Calderon, whom I still love I do understand the point. I celebrate that victory. I am bigger fan of Cotto than I am of Tito. Plus, I know him personally. Hard not to cheer for him and feel good for him. My point is that since last Sunday morning we are looking like the same people we criticized for being nuthuggers and biased fans. Y nos estamos pareciendo a los ignorantes que nos restregan en la cara las victorias de Salido, Arce, Segura y otros. But it is my opinion. I respect yours.

14y ago

ELHURACAN58

My friends are acting like Margo/Cotto 2 is the most gratifying experience of their life. But they are almost-hardcore boxing fans. Reality check: Tito over Oscar was HUGE. Also, we won Miss Universe around the same time. People were crazy. They filled the streets with cars. Governor gave a holiday. etc. Tito's victory was celebrated by all Puertoricans, regardless if they even followed boxing or not. Edit:Never mind you where corrected already.

14y ago

JmH_Reborn

Si eres de Puerto Rico y la viste en PR sabes que cuando la pelea se acabo no había ni un alma que pensaba que le iban a dar la decision a Tito. Era obvio que lo hicieron lucir mal. Hasta Tito no lo creyo, gritando puñeta. En mi opinion, eso fue una clinica. Porque coger eso tan personal? En Basket PanAm los matamos en ambos. Hemos lucido bien en otras cosas. BTW, nadie los manda a roncar tanto con Juanma o con WV2. There is a pool of talented boxers in the island. Even thou Luis Cruz lost he might had learn more much from that defeat and come stronger. Orlandito del Valle is a beast and he comes to fight. Dulorme seems to have all the tools. Pedraza is very sharp and the Arroyo twins can make some noise in their division. Hopefully instead of being arrogant pricks like Juanma, they can be quiet and earn every chant and cheer from us. Knowing that the looks of the future is promising is a bit more gratifying. Nothing personal bro, I just don't think you were understanding the overall call of the question. I mean if Cotto had lost this fight...it would have been a bad thing for all PRs. I mean, forever labeled a quitter, PRs forever lambasted and Tony vindicated after all that has transpired. If Tito had loss, also...are we positive that he would have been the star and island folk lore he became, not sure. Personally, I was satisifed with the win from a standpoint that one of the biggest fights in history was against a Mex/PR and PR won. But overall, I look at the Cotto win and just feel for him. I mean, he could have folded early, like when Tony was coming hard in the 4th, but he stood his ground and fought, then towards the end, he was just muscling him around and beating him up. I mean, you can look at Cotto and see that he looks danger and past failures in the eye and goes towards it. As far as the future fighters...JuanMa, I really can't stand. The Salido win was just a highlight. It'll take alot from JuanMa to allow me to cheer for him. I mean, what he was like, avoiding Caba...I'm not sure its forgiveable. I like WV2 though and hope he can get to Arce and get that win. I wasn't and still not sold on the twins or Cruz to be honest. Who knows. Now Dulorme and De Valle look to be very promising. I can't wait to see the come up on them two. Either way...I don't think ANY of them, short of WV2 has the charimsa, charm and overall skill sets to be close to Tito, Cotto and even Calderon, whom I still love

14y ago

ELHURACAN58

Cotto-Margarito 2, cause it was reinvindication.

14y ago

jtcs1981

This is just opinion, but I don't think Trinidad-DLH was the schooling a lot of fans say. While DLH did better in the rounds he won, when you score it on the 10-9 system this fight gets very close. I had it 114-114. Si eres de Puerto Rico y la viste en PR sabes que cuando la pelea se acabo no había ni un alma que pensaba que le iban a dar la decision a Tito. Era obvio que lo hicieron lucir mal. Hasta Tito no lo creyo, gritando puñeta. En mi opinion, eso fue una clinica. Would you like the thesaurus for gratifying? It merely means satisfied. For the past three years, PRs have been ridiculed in boxing circles for them folding under pressure to mexicans. The fact that Cotto went up against the guy that made him quit, and put it on him thus removing *some* of that stigma is satisfying for alot of people. And again, we're looking at the context of the fight. Who cares if in boxing circles they said Tito loss, the end is, he has a win, and he did just enough in the early rounds to steal a round or two, that when Oscar decided to just run, it gave Tito the win. The point was that it was the biggest and most lucrative fight in boxing, a fight the whole world was watching, plus it was a Mex v. PR, and PR took it home. You have to go back to Holyfield/Tyson I for a fight that had buildup to DLH/Tito, and even then, it might not have been as big, but that is another thread for another day. Porque coger eso tan personal? En Basket PanAm los matamos en ambos. Hemos lucido bien en otras cosas. BTW, nadie los manda a roncar tanto con Juanma o con WV2. There is a pool of talented boxers in the island. Even thou Luis Cruz lost he might had learn more much from that defeat and come stronger. Orlandito del Valle is a beast and he comes to fight. Dulorme seems to have all the tools. Pedraza is very sharp and the Arroyo twins can make some noise in their division. Hopefully instead of being arrogant pricks like Juanma, they can be quiet and earn every chant and cheer from us. Knowing that the looks of the future is promising is a bit more gratifying.

14y ago

FoxingFan2010

The Tito/ Vargas fight was one of the best fights I've ever seen: two warriors going at for 11rds, such a great fight man. But I'm sorry man, DLH "outboxed" tito for like 9rds--obviously DLH coasting the last three rounds (thinking he had done enough) was a shocker but he still won the fight in my opinion. A few of my rican friends even admitted it to me--albeit, they were die-hards though.

14y ago

Exciterx30

It really was no coincidence that King's biggest draws, Tito and Holy, both got gifts that year against their best opponents though. I really think Trinidad managed to win 6 rounds. I gave 1, 4 and 9 through 12. I have seen it multiple times and always score it that way. I don't think Trinidad won but a draw was fair.

14y ago

JmH_Reborn

Gratifying? Lol. C'mon man let's stop this. That wasnt Mayweather. That was Margarito. Yes, I'm glad Cotto has a W over him, but that's it. Oh, and Tito LOSS to ODLH. I dont care if he run, he gave Tito a boxing clinic. Would you like the thesaurus for gratifying? It merely means satisfied. For the past three years, PRs have been ridiculed in boxing circles for them folding under pressure to mexicans. The fact that Cotto went up against the guy that made him quit, and put it on him thus removing *some* of that stigma is satisfying for alot of people. And again, we're looking at the context of the fight. Who cares if in boxing circles they said Tito loss, the end is, he has a win, and he did just enough in the early rounds to steal a round or two, that when Oscar decided to just run, it gave Tito the win. The point was that it was the biggest and most lucrative fight in boxing, a fight the whole world was watching, plus it was a Mex v. PR, and PR took it home. You have to go back to Holyfield/Tyson I for a fight that had buildup to DLH/Tito, and even then, it might not have been as big, but that is another thread for another day.

14y ago

Exciterx30

14y ago

jtcs1981

14y ago

RL_GMA

Cotto vs Marg 2 I was a fan of both Oscar and Tito at the time, so even me being PR I just hoped for the best man to win.

14y ago

JmH_Reborn

sorry bud...Vargas hater here...how i loved that fight He was a natural villain, plus he was a beast. I enjoyed his fights But not to be confused, I did love the Tito beat down. Although I enjoyed the DLH beat down just a tiny bit more.

14y ago

Bushbaby

That's a hardcore fan analysis. The Tito/DLH fight was seen by everyone, incluiding the grandma. They couldn't care less about actual scoring. For them it was bigger than if someone told them James Buster Douglas was a Rican, and just KOed Tyson. ODLH was HUGE in Latin America. He was not just a famous boxer, but a celebrity in his own right. I agree, but my uncles & Granpa 100% Boriqua & most others that I know while they celebrated the Tito win, most admit DLH did son him. While my uncle in contrast, born in Fardo,(spell check), went for Margarito the 1st time, But Cotto in the rematch was thoroughly satisfied with Cotto's clinic.

14y ago

Exciterx30

14y ago

Exciterx30

14y ago

JmH_Reborn

Tito beating the sh1t out of Vargas I thought about including that fight instead of the Oscar fight because they had similar pre-fight context, but chose Oscar because I think it was each fighter's biggest fight of their careers. Its a valid one to put over there though. I miss prime Vargas.

14y ago