by James Slater: It is quite possibly the best fight that can be made in today’s welterweight division. Fight fans anticipate a spectacular, give-and-take war that will likely be the fight of the year. The tickets will sell like hot cakes, and the pay-per-view sales will go through the roof. The fight in question? As surely every fight fan can guess, the match-up I’m talking about is the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito showdown.
Well, the fight is now official and the two men will meet at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas on July 26th. According to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, promoter Bob Arum obtained both fighters’ signatures and the fight is a go. Arum revealed this great news to ESPN earlier today.
“I get really excited about a fight like this because I know it can’t be anything but great,” Arum told ESPN. “That’s why we’re calling it ‘The Battle.’ It’s a tough ass fight. Two real men fighting. There won’t be any playing around. No ducking or dodging. These are two guys who will go at it. That is their style. And don’t forget the element that is Mexico Vs. Puerto Rico, which is the great rivalry in boxing.”
Bob Arum is absolutely correct on all counts. As sure fire a hit of a fight as could be imagined, Cotto-Margarito could well be an instant, one for the time capsule, classic. We all know how both men fight – with a capital F! And the winner is in no way easy to pick. Yes, Cotto will be the favourite, but who can go against as tough and hard-headed a warrior as Mexico’s 30 year old Margarito? If the punches Tony took last time out, against the powerful Kermit Cintron, bounced off his head without effect, what can Cotto’s blows possibly do to him? Indeed, if there is to be a KO in this fight, it will more likely be Margarito who is scoring it.
Of course, Cotto has many other skills than just punching hard. The fight may come down to a long and gruelling battle of attrition. In other words, Cotto territory in a boxing match. Superbly strong, both physically and mentally, the Puerto Rican seems to get more so the longer a fight goes. So though he may have the better chin (has anyone got a better chin than Margarito right now?), Tony will be facing his best ever opponent come July 26th. Talk about a virtual pick ’em fight!
Cotto will be defending his WBA version of the 147 pound championship for the fifth time, while Margarito will relinquish his IBF title before he steps in with Cotto. Tony’s IBF mandatory, Joshua Clottey, will box for the vacated belt.
Cotto, 27 years of age, is currently 32-0(26). The 30-year-old Margarito is currently 36-5(26).
Who can wait for the first bell come July!?
The Battle!” / “La Batalla!”: Promoted by Top Rank, Cotto vs. Margarito will take place Saturday, July 26, at the MGM Grand Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. The 12-round welterweight championship bout will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 P.M. ET /6 P.M. PT.