By Luis Sandoval

The storyline for Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito II is one that could entice anyone; even someone who does not follow the sport. HBO did a fantastic job presenting their story which began back in July 26, 2008. While at times it took the feel that we were watching a 20/20 criminal investigation, it also managed to touch our hearts as Miguel and his mother spoke of the late Miguel Cotto Sr. One thing is for sure, we all want to see this rematch just as bad as we did their first fight 3 years ago. Probably even more.

The underlying story of this rematch is the question of whether or not Antonio Margarito used illegal hand wraps when he fought Miguel Cotto the first time. The opening sequence recounts the events leading up to their second fight. For Cotto however, he no longer questions if Margarito is guilty as he already has his answer.

“He used it. He used the plaster the night of the fight with me” stated Cotto. “He looked and he acts like a criminal”.

We are taken to Cotto’s training camp where he claims he’s a better fighter now than he was back when he fought his nemesis. He’s had three different trainers for his last four fights and we are introduced to the newest one; former Cuban Olympic boxing coach Pedro Diaz. Cotto says he’s happier than he’s ever been and states the importance of this fight for him. A victory over Margarito will let everyone know what truly happened that night in 2008.

In the mountains in Temoaya, Mexico you will find Antonio Margarito training hard in the high altitude in preparation for his big fight. But that is all overshadowed as we get to hear from his former trainer Javier Capetillo. He is the man responsible for putting the plaster in the wraps the night Margarito fought Shane Mosley and the one who took the complete blame.

Much like Panama Lewis, Capetillo still trains fighters but is forbidden to work any corner in the United States as he has not been able to get his boxing license back. He takes full blame for the plaster incident but still says it was not intentional. Capetillo says it was a stupid mistake as he arrived late to the dressing room and used the wrong already prepared wraps.

As we are taken back to the night of their first fight, conflicting reports from each camp are given. Cotto’s team says no one from their team was sent or present in Margarito’s dressing room when he had his hands wrapped. Margarito’s camp claims someone from Cotto’s team was indeed there and they even waited for them to arrive before beginning the wrap process.

A great recap of the fight is given with commentary from both sides as what transpired in those 11 rounds. But in the end, we end up back on Margarito’s wraps and photographs that show a tear and/or breakage in the wraps. Miguel says there’s no reason there should be a tear as there should be nothing under there but gauze. Margarito and his former trainer take turns trying to explain the tear as they site twisting, boogers or maybe the tear simply came from wear and tear during the fight.

“Oh that Cotto how he cries” says Margarito as he looks at the photographs of his hand wraps after the fight. “Always full of excuses. Cotto mentioned that he saw the wrap was broken. It doesn’t look to me like the wrap is broken. I think it could have been twisted.”

Another interesting point is brought up by Cotto as he even believes Margarito used the same wraps in the Mosley fight as he did in his fight. A red mark on the wraps which everyone agrees came from the glove dye also appeared on the confiscated wraps from the Mosley fight. Cotto questions how could there be dye on those wraps if Margarito still had not fought or put on gloves in order for the marks to get there in the first place.

We are taken back to Margarito’s camp where we are reminded he suffered a broken orbital bone in his last fight with Manny Pacquiao. That eye is the reason Margarito still has not been licensed in New York and the reason the fight may not take place in Madison Square Garden. However he assures us his eye is perfect and he is ready to go.

While the gym is small and secluded, Margarito is not alone as his team, which includes Lightweight champion Brandon Rios, relieve his stress with their playful high jinks. It’s obvious they like to play hard but they also work hard. They consider themselves a family as they share a meal together at the end of a hard day’s training.

Back in Orlando we learn Cotto’s mother has taken over as head of his team as she fills the role the late Miguel Cotto Sr left. It’s a tough role to be in as she still bears the loss of her husband with whom she shared 40 years and considered her friend and angel.

In an even more moving scene, we see Miguel talk and remember the man who was responsible for his career. Tears build as Miguel gets choked up talking about his father who slept in a hospital bed next to him after his loss to Margarito. It’s in essence even more fuel going into this second fight with Margarito as Cotto says there will be a 5th person in his corner on December 3rd even if we can’t see him.

The show ends with both fighters giving their take on not only the fight, but each other. Cotto goes as far as to say his dog is more of a man than Margarito. Margarito questions why Cotto is scared and even signed up to fight him. He also questions his heart.

It was a great episode that touched every angle possible regarding this fight. It reminds us clearly how much is at stake for both fighters. A Cotto victory equals redemption and goes a long way to proving Margarito had loaded gloves the night of their first fight. If Margarito is victorious, he can say I beat Cotto then and I beat him now in the same fashion and goes a long way to proving he didn’t cheat.

More than ever its evident this fight belongs in Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s hope the NYSAC comes to its senses and approves Margarito’s license as there is no doubt in my mind we will be treated to another classic. Not to mention 24/7 will have a lot to cover regarding that in the next week.

Grade: 5/5

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @truewest007. You can also tune in to Boxingscene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab every Tuesday with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.