By Joseph Herron: In classic cinema, the caliber of villain almost always determines the overall quality of the motion picture. The villain is the character who creates the drama and conflict within the movie and motivates the hero to drive the action of the film. “Mr. Potter” in It’s a Wonderful Life, “Hans Gruber” in Die Hard, “Warden Norton” in The Shawshank Redemption”…a great villain always motivates the hero to create a memorable and dramatic event.
The simple truth: There’s only one thing the masses love more than a happy ending… America loves to hate a dastardly villain.
On March 12th, one of the greatest “villains” to ever step in the “squared circle” returns to boxing.
Former two division World Champion Ricardo Mayorga revisits the ring this Saturday to face Puerto Rican favorite Miguel Cotto for the WBA Junior Middleweight Championship of the world.
Mayorga recently began his comeback to boxing by fighting journeyman Michael Walker on December 17th, 2010. The 37 year old fighter stopped Walker in the 9th round to earn his 29th career victory. Before his previous bout, Mayorga had endured a 27 month layoff from prizefighting. Will boxing’s “Wild man” be able to handle fighting a champion with the skill level of Miguel Cotto after such a long period of inactivity?
Ricardo Mayorga doesn’t seem too worried.
“I will knock Cotto out easy,” says the Nicaraguan fighter. “To me Cotto is nothing…He’s not a real champion.” “If Cotto runs, the fight will go four rounds, maximum…but I will knock him out.”
The former champion also had a few personal messages for the current WBA Junior Middleweight Champion, Miguel Cotto during the multi-city press tour:
“This is the first time I will fight someone that is as small as a kid. I think my pants are taller than you.”
“I see fear in your eyes. We have never crossed paths but I have to tell you I have never liked you as a fighter.”
“Like Margarito after the Pacquiao fight, you will be thinking about retiring when I am done with you. I will make you think twice about getting in the ring again. Don’t let your mom or your family suffer anymore by watching you get in the ring. I will knock you out and prove to the people in Nicaragua and here that I am better than you in that ring.”
To say that the Nicaraguan pugilist likes to “get under the skin” of his opponents would be a massive understatement.
Many boxing pundits have criticized this fight, stating that a 37 year old Ricardo Mayorga is not a credible opponent for a fighter of Miguel Cotto’s abilities and a current WBA title holder.
Legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward doesn’t dismiss his fighter’s opponent as easily.
“Mayorga is a very tough man, physically and mentally,” states the Hall of Fame trainer. “Everything he says he believes. He’s not just hyping the fight. He is a tough guy.” “People think it’s a mismatch but it’s a very tough fight.”
When asked about Mayorga’s comments, Miguel Cotto seemed very calm and unaffected by the Nicaraguan fighter’s boisterous remarks.
“We just have to take care of business. We can’t think about anything specific regarding Mayorga. We just have to think about ourselves. I think Mayorga is past his peak. He was at his best maybe five or six years ago,” states the Puerto Rican native. “No one has ever won with their mouth.”
And of course, what would a Top Rank/Don King promotion be without a few words from one of boxing’s most iconic figures?
“My fighter Ricardo Mayorga is a crazy man, he’s absolutely insane,” stated Don King. “But when he steps in the ring, Cotto will be saying his Hail Marys. Someone has to be sacrificed on Saturday night and it has to be Cotto, and I feel so bad about this. But Miguel is young and he will come back. He’s a great Puerto Rican and a great combatant and a great fighter. But on March of the 12th, beware the Ides of March.”
Don King closed the press conference by giving his viewing audience a betting tip.
“For all you who have little, just a little bit of money, put it all on Mayorga because the odds are in his favor. You will have the chance to be wealthy. Don’t wait till Saturday night. Do it now. Mayorga will win by a knockout. Check it all out on SHOWTIME pay-per-view.”
Regardless of the fight outcome, if “Miguel Cotto versus Ricardo Mayorga” is as drama filled as the press conferences leading up to the bout, we should be in for a entertaining evening of boxing!!
Order “RELENTLESS” – Miguel Cotto vs Ricardo Mayorga produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV®, beginning at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, at a suggested retail price of $49.95.