The Stage is Set for July Fireworks

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Steve Kim - Everything went as planned for Top Rank this past weekend at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto's perfunctory tune-up title defense against a former reality show contestant went as scripted, as he halted Alfonso Gomez in five. Before that, Antonio Margarito would make it two-for-two by battering Kermit Cintron with a variety of body shots, stopping him in six.

Forget the 4th of July, it's the 26th of that month that figures to have all the fireworks when Cotto and Margarito are scheduled to collide.

"Top Rank fighters fight," stated Bob Arum at the post-fight press conference. "Antonio and Miguel are Top Rank fighters; no nonsense, they come to fight. A lot of people who watched that fight said that Miguel Cotto is the best fighter in the world. You have to judge, but he's damn, damn, good. And I think that some of you people who may have misguidedly cast a vote for 'fighter of the year' and neglected the fact that this man on my right (Cotto) beat Zab Judah and beat Shane Mosley, two real fighters. No Mickey Mouse, no 24/7's, no dropping F-bombs, but real honest working fighters." [details]

[circleinsidebox]

By Steve Kim - Everything went as planned for Top Rank this past weekend at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto's perfunctory tune-up title defense against a former reality show contestant went as scripted, as he halted Alfonso Gomez in five. Before that, Antonio Margarito would make it two-for-two by battering Kermit Cintron with a variety of body shots, stopping him in six.

Forget the 4th of July, it's the 26th of that month that figures to have all the fireworks when Cotto and Margarito are scheduled to collide.

"Top Rank fighters fight," stated Bob Arum at the post-fight press conference. "Antonio and Miguel are Top Rank fighters; no nonsense, they come to fight. A lot of people who watched that fight said that Miguel Cotto is the best fighter in the world. You have to judge, but he's damn, damn, good. And I think that some of you people who may have misguidedly cast a vote for 'fighter of the year' and neglected the fact that this man on my right (Cotto) beat Zab Judah and beat Shane Mosley, two real fighters. No Mickey Mouse, no 24/7's, no dropping F-bombs, but real honest working fighters." [details]

judging by his comments
i take it arum must have
watched an episode of 24.7

[BetterthanSugar]

can't wait

i can't wait for july to see this fight. this has fight of the year writtin all over it and is one of the few can't miss ppv events you'll ever see. the winner will have enough time to take a fight late in the year to further state there case for fighting mayweather and if it's cotto by then there will be a huge demand for that if he can get by tony in impressive fashion. cotto would love to see mosly ko judah im sure that way he could have a rematch late in 08 and could makes his case for fighter of the year and create a sugar ray vs tommy hearns type buzz for a mayweather fight.

[dmendoz6]

I just can't wait to see the fight. I've been wanting this fight for a couple years and its finally here. Lets hope hope floyd doesn't duck for much longer

[EDD1]

this is good good for boxing, I dont even care if Maywhether fights the winner, these are the true champions of this division. Puerto Rico's greatest against Mexico's greatest at welter, what more can we ask for? we know there will not be any shoulder roll, no running, no quiting, all technique, all power, tension, and very possible no need for judges to f things up. Im not betting on anyone because I am a big fan of both fighters, but I will bet on whether floyd shows his face or not. I think he stays away from this one.

[C'MONMANG']

ive got a boner

this is good good for boxing, I dont even care if Maywhether fights the winner, these are the true champions of this division. Puerto Rico's greatest against Mexico's greatest at welter, what more can we ask for? we know there will not be any shoulder roll, no running, no quiting, all technique, all power, tension, and very possible no need for judges to f things up. Im not betting on anyone because I am a big fan of both fighters, but I will bet on whether floyd shows his face or not. I think he stays away from this one.

[commandant]

i pray to the lord above this comes to vegas.

[deevel79]

i pray to the lord above this comes to vegas.

I read that Arum is trying to secure MSG for the event.

[Piper the Great]

im just hoping cotto & shane win so we can get that rematch.

[BMWM3P]

Something needs to be done about those gloves that rule is bull**** and it's keeping great fighters like these from fighting in Vegas.