Cotto vs. Margarito; Who wins this one, and why?

By Mike Cassell The Philadelphia Boxing Report 7/22/08

Top Rank does boxing right. First, you need to create a superstar. In walks the quiet, soft spoken and very likeable Miguel Cotto 32-0 26 KO’s. Although he seems respectful, honest and wholesome, there is a furious fighting demon, lurking beneath his boyish almost taunting smile. He is a relentless stalking puncher, who has the power to take you out, and is prepared to suffer a beating in a counter punching boxing match, to land the shot that eventually will. Cotto is very fun to watch. But make no mistake about this man. He is a fighter to his very core. Most men who enter the ring with Cotto will likely leave a changed fighter. Fans often are heavily attracted to this type of one dimensional brawler. Maybe it is as simple as the consistency he brings to an inconsistent sport. The fact is, Miguel Cotto puts meat in the seats, and makes that “60.00 PPV pill” a little easier to swallow. Two years ago, calling Cotto one dimensional was apt. Today however, he is a more complete fighter than anyone in his division, and no one will learn that lesson harder or faster than Antonio Margarito.

Cotto is the odds on favorite, but the underground chatter that has followed Antonio Margarito 36 – 5 26 KO’s much of his career, is beginning to get louder and escape into the mainstream thinking of  the boxing public and many writers. Some are saying the judges should stay home on this one. It isn’t going twelve. That’s a great quote, but who is going to win? Antonio Margarito is the perennial hard luck case. He tends to fight like the stock market. One day he is easily destroying a world champion like Kermit Cintron. The next he looks listless and lethargic against the likes of a young inexperienced fighter like Paul Williams, or is in a close brawl for his life against Joshua Clottey. Margarito has been screaming for respect and challenging all comers. He is a 14 year veteran with 5 losses, capturing his first world title 6 years ago. He is a world class and battle tested warrior who plays the classic bad boy part to a tee. Two years ago he openly and very publicly offered to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr, supposedly laying 8 million on the table. For all his trash talk, he tends to put up, and fans love that part of him.

The match up,

Margarito is a pressure fighter who throws a lot of punches. He needs to use his size and fight big. Being the bully is his forte, and that is what made him. He likes to stand his ground, but he must choose very wisely when he makes that stand. He tends to leave his body open, taking chances on the inside, which could be a big problem with a target shooter like Cotto. Look for him to be very aggressive early and taste the power of the smaller fighter. He is going for the early knockout, and that will be no easy task.

Cotto is small, but he fights very big. His power will enable him to take those close quarter battles with the bigger man. Although Margarito is bigger, thinking that makes him stronger will be his eventual downfall. Cotto has done the same thing his whole career. He is a stalker who patiently waits for his opening. Margarito will give him plenty of opportunities. Look for one or both of these guys to touch the canvas, but in the end, Margarito will stay there. If the fight goes the distance, Cotto will win. If you’re looking for an early KO, look again for Miguel Cotto to deliver that as well. As much as I love this classic matchup, Margarito is not ready for the hell Miguel Cotto is going to bring him. Joshua Clottey made Margarito look pedestrian. And Paul Williams gave us a glimpse of what good counter punching can do to him. Bob Arum knows what his fighters have, and I truly believe that he would not take such a big chance with his cash cow, Cotto. Cotto wins this one, and will put himself in position to call himself the pound for pound best in the world. Arum is looking down the road, and Cotto is the future of Top Rank.