Cotto vs. Margarito: The Post-War Report Card

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Cliff Rold - Am Johnny comes marching home…

So goes the old post war lament. Fitting, because that was what we saw a piece of on Saturday night: a war between two honorable warriors. It wasn’t the best fight of the year; that’s still Israel Vasquez-Rafael Marquez III. It wasn’t even necessarily a great fight, lacking the wildness of a Carmen Basilio-Tony DeMarco or the ebb and flow of a Ray Leonard-Roberto Duran. Yet, as the last bit of spirit drained from Miguel Cotto (32-1, 26 KO) in round eleven, fans could feel the emotion in witnessing the climax of a story that truly began over six years ago when now-new WBA Welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (37-5, 27 KO) captured his first belt against Antonio Diaz in 2002.

After six years being regarded as one of the best Welterweights in the world, six years where Margarito could never secure a shot at one of the men regarded as the true Welterweight champion of the World as that title passed from Vernon Forrest to Ricardo Mayorga…Cory Spinks…Zab Judah…Carlos Baldomir…Floyd Mayweather…after all those names and time, Margarito stands tall atop the division.

Sort of.

We’ll get back to that.

The question was posed in the pre-fight report card, “If WBA Welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto (32-0, 26 KO) and former WBO and IBF titlist Antonio Margarito (36-5, 26 KO) just went out and fought a hard twelve rounds, if it turns out to be slightly less than a classic, would it be okay?” It was more than ‘just’ a fight and a classic in its own right on par with Bernard Hopkins career redeeming win over Felix Trinidad and Evander Holyfield’s validation against Mike Tyson. As the rave reviews from fans and pundits alike make clear, it was a fight sure to be remembered for years to come. [details]

[MANGLER]

Good read. We need Tony-Williams 2 ASAP.

[Sweet Pea]

Much respect to Cotto and Margarito for the willingness to get it on with the best!

[Senor Boxeo]

Mucho Gracias Hermanos; Who gone bring it next?

As a Boxing fan I will like to thank Cotto and Maragrito for the professionalism and courage displayed on 7/26/2008. At some point I will love to see a part 2 ,but let these guys clean out the rest of the division and do it again in about a two years Cotto will be only 29 and Margarito 32 both will still be strong. This will be our generations best rivalry and in the end I see these guys establishing themselves as Hall of Fame fighters over the next few years. Just hope there can be at least a few more weleterweight fighters who can match these guys or better to bring back that 80's feel of legendary fights like Duran,Hagler,Leonard,Hearns,Barkley...Paul Williams is there for now is he sure he wants to be? , Judah when he is not being caught on you tube jumping people over dice games in miami rather than tending to his career as a fighter(Focus Man..See Zab Judah Street Fight in Miami on the you tube) , Mayweather is the man until he is no longer in the ol memory bank til the holidays???, Clottey game plan was ripped off by Cotto against Margarito so the man can fight has the potential needs more exposure will find out vs Judah(8/2/2008). Mosley fights to pay da bills at this point and buy more toys and **** (he's been there done that) Everyone else gotta come wit it.

[Landi]

Last night's fight between Cotto & Margarito not only displayed the true proffesionalism & intrigue that keeps the boxing world alive today, but also the dedication,strength & heart of two of the greatest fighters in recent welterweight history. As a Puerto Rican my heart stayed with Cotto, but logic had 2 say that the fight was gonna be a rough battle from the get-go for both & that the favored Cotto would have needed the best condition of his life, not 2 go twelve rounds, but 2 go twelve rounds at Margarito's pace who we all knew was gonna dictate ring generalship. We witnessed a classy technical Cotto who perhaps was too busy, not starting out at the measured pace he is accostumed to. Then again, making reference to what I had said earlier... Margarito was ultimately gonna control the pace of the bout. Wether or not it was his intention of the fight playing out the way it did, or if he just worked the way he knows how, Margarito was sensational at being patient, aggresive & relentless as the damage he did to the Puerto Rican star kept Cotto at bay with blood coming out of his nose ( not letting him breathe), & body punches increasingly taking its toll on his ribcage not to mention the tremendous amount of energy expended from Cotto which seemed to have no physical effect on Tony. In the end Margarito emerged victorious as the effects of the causes mentioned before where too much for Cotto. A glorious classical fight in the making, well worth the money. A rematch down the road may be possible although not anytime soon as bob arum had said there was no clause. If Cotto can regroup & capitalize on his few weaknesses then a desicion win over Margarito is not at all farfetched.( I didnt include a knockout possibility for Cotto because I truly do not see Antonio being knocked out in any sort of way from a welterweight or even perhaps a junior middleweight fighter if he decides to fight in that division once again).

[Heru]

Much respect to Cotto and Margarito for the willingness to get it on with the best!

As a Boxing fan I will like to thank Cotto and Maragrito for the professionalism and courage displayed on 7/26/2008. At some point I will love to see a part 2 ,but let these guys clean out the rest of the division and do it again in about a two years Cotto will be only 29 and Margarito 32 both will still be strong. This will be our generations best rivalry and in the end I see these guys establishing themselves as Hall of Fame fighters over the next few years. Just hope there can be at least a few more weleterweight fighters who can match these guys or better to bring back that 80's feel of legendary fights like Duran,Hagler,Leonard,Hearns,Barkley...Paul Williams is there for now is he sure he wants to be? , Judah when he is not being caught on you tube jumping people over dice games in miami rather than tending to his career as a fighter(Focus Man..See Zab Judah Street Fight in Miami on the you tube) , Mayweather is the man until he is no longer in the ol memory bank til the holidays???, Clottey game plan was ripped off by Cotto against Margarito so the man can fight has the potential needs more exposure will find out vs Judah(8/2/2008). Mosley fights to pay da bills at this point and buy more toys and **** (he's been there done that) Everyone else gotta come wit it.

Last night's fight between Cotto & Margarito not only displayed the true proffesionalism & intrigue that keeps the boxing world alive today, but also the dedication,strength & heart of two of the greatest fighters in recent welterweight history. As a Puerto Rican my heart stayed with Cotto, but logic had 2 say that the fight was gonna be a rough battle from the get-go for both & that the favored Cotto would have needed the best condition of his life, not 2 go twelve rounds, but 2 go twelve rounds at Margarito's pace who we all knew was gonna dictate ring generalship. We witnessed a classy technical Cotto who perhaps was too busy, not starting out at the measured pace he is accostumed to. Then again, making reference to what I had said earlier... Margarito was ultimately gonna control the pace of the bout. Wether or not it was his intention of the fight playing out the way it did, or if he just worked the way he knows how, Margarito was sensational at being patient, aggresive & relentless as the damage he did to the Puerto Rican star kept Cotto at bay with blood coming out of his nose ( not letting him breathe), & body punches increasingly taking its toll on his ribcage not to mention the tremendous amount of energy expended from Cotto which seemed to have no physical effect on Tony. In the end Margarito emerged victorious as the effects of the causes mentioned before where too much for Cotto. A glorious classical fight in the making, well worth the money. A rematch down the road may be possible although not anytime soon as bob arum had said there was no clause. If Cotto can regroup & capitalize on his few weaknesses then a desicion win over Margarito is not at all farfetched.( I didnt include a knockout possibility for Cotto because I truly do not see Antonio being knocked out in any sort of way from a welterweight or even perhaps a junior middleweight fighter if he decides to fight in that division once again).

Co-sign. Great quotes in that report card Cliff, I would only lower Margarito's defense for getting tagged so many times with clean punches.

[resty19151]

Margarito vs William

7/28/08

First of all congratulations to both fighters (Margarito and Cotto) for having a fight. My special request is for rematch between Tony and Paul this two fighters must have a rematch fight because they have a good matches. This is also an exciting fight.

If Margarito and Cotto will go for rematch maybe the same thing happen it's good to have rematch with Margarito and William.... Thank you.

[Brassangel]

When Margarito would come in, and Cotto would slip punches and fire combo's, he actually forced Margs back a few times. He needed to press into Tony's ribcage immediately, not allowing him to regroup and catch his wind again. It also would have kept Margarito on his back foot for 30 seconds to a minute in every round, buying Cotto breathing room, as it's always easier to go forward than it is to go backwards. Had he done that, he may have won a 12-round decision.

I kept expecting the Cotto Kidney Bombs, but he never went for it. He was headhunting while counter-punching, and then never pressed afterwards. Even a guy like Margs can get tired if a flurry is followed by rib-cracking body shots.

Nonetheless, it was a great fight. A rematch definitely has to happen following Margarito-Williams II.

Wouldn't it be great if Margarito, Cotto, and Williams all kept passing each other around?

[aztecadq]

Tijuana Tornado is # 1

To all the haters and people who didn't believe- I'm not going to point you out, you know who you are. In the words of when the NY Giants upset the NE Patriots. " Cotto you and your fans GOT STOMPED OUT !!!!! Arriba Margarito!! The Tijuana Tornado!!!!

[venerablefist]

why are so many people not paying attention to margaritos defense he tucks his elbows in real tight to his lower body so if cotto went for the body attack he would most likely hit all elbow which could of caused him to break his hands if he tried so tony basically baited him to go to the head and his iron chin