Miguel Cotto: record, next fight and profile →
Antonio Margarito flew back to Toluca, Mexico, from Teterboro, N.J., on Monday night to resume training camp after a New York State Athletic Commission-approved specialist examined his surgically repaired right eye.
Orlando,Florida --- Miguel Cotto works out during media day for his upcoming highly-anticipated World Championship rematch against Antonio Margarito, Saturday, December 3, scheduled for Madison Square Garden in New York. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Cotto Promotions, Tornado Promotions, AT&T, and Madison Square Garden, Cotto-Margarito II will be produced and distributed Live by HBO Pay-Per-View®. --- Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, representatives from Top Rank will be in Denver today to discuss the details of possibly moving the highly anticipated Miguel Cotto​ vs. Antonio Margarito​ rematch from New York City. The fight is currently scheduled to take place in Madison Square Garden, which is nearly sold out. Denver's Pepsi Center is being viewed as a frontrunner venue to host the fight. Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas is also being considered.
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.
Co-promoters Fernando Beltran and Bob Arum of Top Rank are interested in matching WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. against the winner of the upcoming rematch between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, scheduled for December 3rd. Chavez vs. Cotto was once being explored in 2010, but the fight never happened. Another fight of interest is a unification with WBA champion Felix Sturm of Germany. Sturm is going to be a much tougher fight to put together, as he makes a lot of money to stage his fights in Germany.
Antonio Margarito remains in licensing limbo. The former welterweight champion interrupted his training camp Sunday to fly on a private jet from Toluca, Mexico, to Teterboro, New Jersey. He is scheduled to arrive Sunday night, when he’ll head to a Manhattan hotel to await his fate.
Representatives at Top Rank were pleased – relatively speaking – with the verdict from Friday’s meeting held by the New York State Athletic Commission regarding the license status for Antonio Margarito.
The New York State Athletic Commission announced Friday afternoon during an executive session that Antonio Margarito will have to get examined by one of their doctors in order to secure a boxing license in the state. The commission has concerns over his surgically repaired right eye. Margarito, currently training in Mexico, would have to get examined on an immediate basis, as time is quickly running out.
One way or another, Top Rank’s stacked pay-per-view card will still go on as planned for December 3. The greatest question at the moment is where the show will be held. “Can you believe this? We’re 2,000 tickets away from a complete sellout, and the New York State Athletic Commission wants to pull this nonsense,” stated an enraged Bob Arum when approached on Thursday afternoon over the status of Antonio Margarito’s license for his rematch with Miguel Cotto.
Ryan Burton catches up with Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum to discuss the upcoming trilogy bout between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, the rematch between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito and more.