Earlier in the year when this fight was originally signed, my assumption was that it would easily challenge the rematches .jpg)
between Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez and Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez for fight of the year honors. However, as the battle for welterweight supremacy quickly approaches, I increasingly see Miguel Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs) as a strong favorite to win this fight. But it does not stop there. I even think he’s going to knock Antonio Margarito (36-5, 26 KOs) out.
Before you call me crazy, hear me out first. It all comes down to competition. More importantly, how each man has fared against that competition to-date.
Cotto gets the "competitive" edge in my book. He owns dominant wins over "then undefeated" contenders like the fleet-footed Paul Malignaggi (21-0), the power-punching Ricardo Torres (28-0), and the slick-boxing Carlos Quintana (28-0). These wins were followed by defining victories against a couple of "A-list" fighters – "Super" Zab Judah and "Sugar" Shane Mosley.
Margarito’s resume is nothing to toss into the trash heap, but it simply does not match Cotto’s. Sure, he’s ha.jpg)
nded powerful Kermit "the Killer" Cintron his only two losses, and he made Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis see seven heads when they fought several years ago. However, I consider those two guys to be "B-list" fighters. When Margarito has stepped up in class, he has had very mixed results. He lost decisions (albeit close ones) to current welterweight and super welterweight titlists Paul "the Punisher" Williams and Daniel Santos, respectively. But, I can live with those losses.
The one fight that stands out to me is the Joshua Clottey fight. Although Margarito won, that fight gives me a glimpse of how he will be troubled greatly by Cotto. Like Cotto, Clottey is a well-schooled boxer-puncher, with unusual physical strength at this weight. He has a tighter defense than Cotto, but he is not as dynamic of an offensive fighter. Even so, he was able to land power shots at will against Margarito before suffering an apparent hand injury in the middle of the fight.
Margarito showed a lot of mental fortitude in weathering the early Clottey onslaught, but will not be as lucky when he meets Miguel Cotto in two weeks. If Clottey had Margarito swimming in deep water, look for Cotto to catch him with hooks and reel him in. As a matter of fact, expect the hooks to come from the left. After that, it will be over.
Miguel Cotto TKO 10 Antonio Margarito
Good article but have to disagree with prediction and logic. Margarito will win this fight! He is a bigger, tougher, braver version of Cotto. He may not be as schooled as a pure “boxer” but that is not what is going to win this fight. This is going to be a war! The fight will be won by the guy who has more “courage”. For me, there is no question on this one…it’s Margarito. Margarito has learned to be a complete fighter by learning from his losses. The current Margarito is a beast. You can throw all the losses out the window. He’s a new tornado who has more heart and WILL do whatever the night calls for to win! I predict a war with both fighters having their moments. I don’t think this will be an easy fight for either fighter and at times, we may see the fight swinging from fighter to fighter. When it is all said and done however, Margarito will have a little more heart and courage and will find a way to win. I respect both of these fighters but Cotto’s “A-list” wins over an over-the-hill Mosely and a tiny, but quick judah…simply don’t convince me that he’s ready for a big, strong tough guy like Margarito. The day is coming. I can’t wait to watch this fight!
I do not think it will be a cakewalk for Cotto, but I do believe that it will NOT be as competitive as you describe. Why? Cotto is simply the more skilled fighter who has fought (but most importantly, beaten) better competition. You talk about heart, as if Cotto doesn’t have any. If you watched his fight against Ricardo Torres where he looked almost out on his feet, but finished that fight with a vicious knockout, you would know that his heart can not be questioned. If you watched how a Judah uppercut tore his bottom lip apart, yet he still fought through it and won via knockout, you simply can not overlook his heart in that case either. The one time Margarito faced major physical harm, the fight (Santos) was stopped and he lost on the cards. Both men are tough as nails, so even that advantage you speak of for Margarito could EASILY be stated as a deficit for him.
So i have to disagree as well.. all though it will be a tough fight for either fighter, i think we all have to take into consideration that margo has been hit by welters all his career since he was 15.. big men.. and he’s faces some pretty good up and comers, undefeated too.. and he took their shots and their heart and broke them down.. im not saying thats what he’ll do but i do think it wont be a ko.. margo is huge at ww and the size might have some mental factor vs cotto… he’s never seen someone that big, so i’m leaning toward margo.. besides at 2-1.. i think he’s worth the risk…
No doubt, he is a very live dog and one that I would consider betting on BUT my prediction is on who I truly think will win. Sure, Margarito has fought at welterweight longer, but Kermit Cintron is really the only huge puncher that he has faced. You do make a good point; both Judah and Mosley would not be considered big welterweights (Cotto’s best wins at 147). Nonetheless, still gotta go with the pride of Caguas.
I’m still debating this one … something inside me says Margarito might be too tough for him, but from a pure ability point of view, there’s not much debate as to who is the more skilled fighter. Right now it boils down to whether I should believe my head or my gut. As of this moment, I’m taking Cotto either by late stoppage or split decision victory.
I hope to goodness that the Cotto Margarito fight be a good fight. Boxing needs good fights in order to compete with MMA.
“Cotto vs Margarito,” boxing has more problems than to worry about MMA. I think comparing both sports is kinda flawed. Nonetheless, I too want and expect a great fight.
Orlando, when in doubt, go with your head…it’s usually right…well, in predicting sports outcomes at least (lol).
Your sparkling assessment of Cotto’s past omitted something from his fight with Zab. Cotto HAD TO produce those low blows, a habit he has refused to stoop to in recent times.
We will never know what would have happened if he didn’t foul to give himself a breather against one of the most dangerous 5 round boxers in the history of the sport, Zab “Super (Brat)” Judah.
Joe, that is VERY funny…in particular, your comment re: Zab being the most dangerous five round boxer in history. True story. Hey, I never for once overlooked Cotto’s timely low blows against Super Judah, however, that has nothing to do with him painting the canvas with Margarito this Saturday.
https://fightinsight.com/2007/06/09/cotto-stops-judah-in-brutal-exciting-fight/
i have agreed with alot of your past comments but this one im not sure its going to be easier than expected this is going to be a swinging round by round boxing showcase wuth quintna behind waiting
Well, last time you escaped being shellshocked by a headbutt.
This time, you WILL BE SHELLSHOCKED.
Margo will win!
Joe, you are one funny dude. Glad to have you back, questioning my “fight insight.” LOL
Just make sure that you are online around 1am or so to accept my “I told you so.”
If I am wrong, and Cotto loses, I’ll go to bed and reply in the morning. just kidding
I’ll be here to admit you were right. You know what, I may even let you predict the next big fight on my site if you are correct?
Deal?
I disagree completely. I would not, at this point, call Judah and Mosley A-list fighters at all. Anyways, margarito would dispatch these foes in less than 5 rounds. Cotto was fading in the later rounds vs Mosley and had to throw some low blows vs Judah. Margarito has never been hurt and we have seen Cotto get hurt my R.Torres who himself got ko’d by Holt in rd1., not exactly a heavy hitter, and was hurt by Corley. Yes, Corley who can’t break a bag of peanuts. If AM hurts Cotto there will be no recovery time here unless he starts throwing low blows. Margarito in KO in 6… with a rematch to come.
Pete, first thanks for commenting…now let me e-slay you!
“I would not, at this point, call Judah and Mosley A-list fighters at all.”
My response:
Who would you call A-listers at welterweight then? At the time, both were in the top 5 in the division and have both held undisputed titles at 147. Sure, they were not at their best, but they are BY FAR better than anyone Margarito has faced. As a matter of fact, when Margarito has faced B+-to-A-level fighters, he’s either struggled (Clottey) or lost (Santos, Williams). His best win is against Kermit Cintron (I hope you do not consider the raw Kermit an A-lister).
“Anyways, Margarito would dispatch these foes in less than 5 rounds.”
Besides Six Heads, No Chin Lewis and Kermit Cintron, what top level comp has Margarito blown away to make you think he’d do the same to Mosley (who’s never been stopped) and Judah (for all of his chin woes, has only been stopped twice)?
“Cotto was fading in the later rounds vs Mosley and had to throw some low blows vs Judah.”
My response:
I agree that Cotto was struggling late in that fight, but he did enough to beat a future Hall of Famer in Mosley, surprisingly by out-boxing him. Who woulda thought that possible? I agree the low blows seriously troubled Judah (I even said so in my post on the fight), but I can’t say that’s the only reason Zab lost that one.
“Margarito has never been hurt and we have seen Cotto get hurt my R. Torres who himself got KO by Holt in rd1., not exactly a heavy hitter, and was hurt by Corley. Yes, Corley who can’t break a bag of peanuts. If AM hurts Cotto there will be no recovery time here unless he starts throwing low blows.”
My response:
Margarito does have an excellent chin, but outside of Kermit Cintron what HUGE punchers has he faced? I’ll wait…OK, Torres was KOd by an accidental head-butt/overhand right combo…deadly. lol I picked Holt to win that one – so I won’t speak too much on that. You are wrong in saying that Holt can’t crack. Despite his modest (50% or so) KO ratio, the dude has power (I think he also KO’d durable David Diaz), but he has no chin, so he has often fought safety-first to protect that weak chin. Don’t get it twisted. The Corley wobbling act was indeed troubling for Cotto – I, like you, REALLY questioned his chin BACK THEN…but since he’s moved up to 147 (those wobbling acts were all at 140 pounds), he’s apparently been more sturdy.
“Margarito in KO in 6… with a rematch to come.”
My response:
You saw my prediction…but here it goes again, Cotto TKO 10…skills will carry the day.
You were shellshocked! Lol
WRONG!!!!
What’s ur response now Ja Dawson. LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Magarito is a damn machine. Cotto was tagging him in the first 5 rounds and that n!gga just kept walking through them punches like they were nothing. Thats what really broke Cotto’s will. Cotto is known as a power puncher, but when you keep landing like he was early on, and the dude just keep taking them and coming at you that sh*t is discouraging. Not to mention Margarito was doing some nice body work which those d*ckriding commentator’s failed to mention. It’s time to give Margarito his rematch with Paul Williams.
Yes, I was wrong. Nice to see the replies. I like seeing them when I am right as well (which is more often than NOT!).
https://fightinsight.com/2008/07/26/cotto-wilts-under-relentless-margarito-pressure/
Wow,I didnt expect this outcome. Was Margarito that tough or was Cotto not as powerful of a puncher as we were led to believe?
“R to the O,” I would say it had more to do with what Margarito was able to do – walk through ANYTHING Cotto throw, and wear him down physically. He was simply too big, strong and tough. I underestimated his sheer natural size advantage and will. Cotto is one tough SOB, but Margarito proved too strong.
Joe, I was shell-shocked, but so were you! lol Cotto was playing tag with Margarito’s face for most of the fight, but eventually his arms got tired and his will got broken…props to Margarito (not to you!). just kidding
Now, Margo wins…Margo knows his limits and learned of his losses…the bigger the tougher…I think Cotto will have so many things to learned after this event…
Well, as for me still Cotto is in my top 2 in my top 5 pound for pound boxers…still Pacquiao is the best for me…i’ll wait for the match Cotto-Pacquiao…this will be a great match!
Langskie, I am not sure a seasoned bad-ass like Cotto had much more to learn in the ring. He had a decorated amateur career, has fought many styles, etc. I just hope he takes a much-need rest. He’s fought the trio of Judah, Mosley and Margarito (all high contact fights) in succession. That is enough to take over a year or two off of one’s career. After this last fight, in which he took the most sustained punishment of his career, I just hope he has a few more solid years left. That type of loss can hang with a man for some time.
Pac-Man is indeed number one, Calzaghe is number two, and I have Israel Vazquez as #3. Margarito will move in at number 8 on my list after this win.
https://fightinsight.com/pound-for-pound-list/
Don’t quit your day job. Margarito is here to stay.
Rick G,
I’m entitled to get a few wrong (I have a 14-3 record this year in predicting fights my friend). Margarito did well…you mentioning him being here to stay is true (for now). I am just not sure how long that face-first style will hold up (i.e. if he decides to move up in weight). Let’s enjoy it while it lasts.
Even though cotto lost I still feel like he went out like a true champion. He was on point with his punches and was very accurate through out the whole fight. I don’t think this is the last of cotto. Do I hear a rematch later down the line?!!!!
JA:
Now that you had a day to realize how off you were, I just knew that Margarito was going to wear out Cotto. Too much pressure, I was a little nervous because Cotto was starting to dance and stay away.
Now, I wish i would have bet 10k on the fight, it woiuld have been a nice pay day at 3-1.
Here’s my prediction Margarito stops Oscar in 10, and it’s on to retirement for him.
Congrats Margarito you deserve it !
Pete, it’s not like I was THAT off. Cotto was doing what I expected in rounds 1-6 for the most part. What I didn’t predict is that Margarito would walk through Cotto’s bombs, and that Cotto would get tired. Both of these things happened, leading to the career-defining win for Antonio. Good for AM…doubt Oscar fights him, and even more doubtful that he’d be able to KO Oscar (i.e. stop him, Oscar has only been stopped once).
JA DAWSON
Cotto didn’t get tired, he was worned out by the constant body punching from Margs. Please give some respect to the man.
Margarito has fought the same way 15 years, so expect several more good years for him.
I definitely think that he would knock De la Hoya down. Everybody knows that when in trouble Oscar runs a lot, but he’s not as fast as Cotto right now, and even Miguel couldn’t run away from Margarito in the late rounds.
AM the big money is coming
MARGARITO WON IS ALL THAT MATTERS,
Cotto did get tired, I should have added that Margarito had everything to do with that because of his constant pressure and volume punching.
Therein lies the problem, fighting this way (for 15 year no less) is like getting city miles on your card…it ages the heck out of your automobile. It’s only a matter of time before that face-first style runs into a fighter or punch, which the face can not take. lol
That being said, props to Margarito he’s one tough SOB, I am just not sure how long his reign will last. I have been wrong before, like predicting this fight. lol
even cotto loss the fight it doesn’t means that the winner is the best for me cotto is still much better even he lost if you watch how much pressure margs give to cotto many punches was landed to air than hitting cotto look how gracefull cotto using the ropes to dodge the attack of margarito and if cotto didn’t ko im sure that cotto win the match by a unanimous decision…well anyway good luck miguel cotto i hope you recover as soon as possible because the pyschological damage of first loss was very tough and it’s a knock out loss but don’t worry im always here at your back supporting you until you be a champion once again and make some history!!!because im sure that you haven’t started yet!!!gud luck to your career…
ohhh man i want to see our very own Manny Pacman Paquiao in action again but right now i don’t know who is he’s opponent because his fight to Sotto was canceled but in the news to our country Manny says that he want to be opponent of Dela Hoya on the farewell fight of Dela Hoya but they are not in same division Pacman is in lightweight and Golden Boy is in welterweight so who’s going up and who’s going down?HEY FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. WHY DON’T YOU COMEBACK TO THE RING AIM SURE YOU CAN KICK A LOT OF FIGHTER’S BUTT IN THE RING SO COME ON YOUR TO YOUNG TO RETIRED WE MISS THE WAY YOU FIGHT THE GREATEST FIGHTER THAT IVE EVER SEEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. THE BEST OF THE BEST STRONGER THAN THE STRONGEST.