By James Slater: Although the fight has still not actually been signed (only “agreed to in principle – to Miguel Cotto’s full satisfaction,” according to Cotto’s legal advisor, who spoke to Ringtv.com), it has been agreed how Cotto and Antonio Margarito will meet up in a December 3rd rematch, to take place at Madison Square Garden, New York.
The WBA 154-pound belt Cotto holds will be on the line. Strangely, however, and though the light-middleweight limit is 154-pounds – the fight will be fought at an agreed catch-weight of 153-pounds. Fans may ask, “what’s the point?” and it’s a good questions: what is the point to this point off the 154-pound limit? Are we to believe that Cotto, the defending champion, feels that the fight being fought at a pound below the limit will in any way benefit him and at the same time hinder the bigger, taller Margarito?
Margarito, who has not fought since his brutal 12-round defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, made 150 for the November 2010 bout. There is no reason to believe he will struggle to make 153 now. In any case, this silly little weight agreement aside, the December 3rd fight is sure to attract a huge crowd. A rematch of the controversial 2008 fight (that wasn’t controversial at the time, but has become so in light of Margarito being busted for attempting to use loaded gloves in his next fight, with Shane Mosley – the fallout being that many people, including Cotto, believe the Mexican may have cheated in his big win also), the part-two is very much a redemption fight for both men.
Cotto will exact revenge if he can reverse the 11th-round TKO defeat he suffered, while “Tony” will go some way towards repairing his battered rep if he can beat Cotto with the whole world knowing he did so with legal gloves, legal hand-wraps, legal everything. The big fight could well prove to be box office dynamite.
The promoters involved sure feel they have a winner on their hands; so much so that there will be a big promotional tour, the kind that happen for the big, big fights, beginning in September. Reportedly, the tour will cover Puerto Rico, New York, Mexico and Los Angeles.
Fans can, in my opinion, expect a good, if not great fight, with plenty of two-way action. Has Margarito simply got Cotto’s number, with him set to once again prove he is simply too strong and tough for the defending champion? Or will the superior boxing skills of Cotto hold up for a full 12-rounds this time, with the champ’s hand being raised at the end?
I do see the return going the distance. My pick is Cotto by wide decision.