Junior Middleweight

Miguel Cotto has gained his revenge against Antonio Margarito, improving his record to 37-2 (30 KOs).

Cotto outboxed and Margarito with a snapping left jab, monstrous left hook and great footwork.

The Puerto Rican fighter won many of the first seven rounds, but Margarito's consistent pressure proved a lingering problem.

Cotto would be caught in some close exchanges, but his overall goal was maintained, focusing on Margarito's bad right eye throughout the bout.

Margarito's eye was bloody as early as the third round from Cotto's onslaught of left hooks, and was closed shut around Round 7, forcing the doctor to mull over calling the fight early nearly every round.

The doctor finally stopped the fight after the ninth round as Margarito's eye was completely shut and unable to open.

Magarito's eye was a point of contention between the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) and fight promoters Top Rank over the last month.

The NYSAC had concerns that Margarito's eye had not fully healed from his previous outing against Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO), in which Margarito's suffered a fractured right orbital bone in the bout.

Though multiple surgeries had been performed by the best doctors in the world, the NYSAC threatened to stop the fight if Margarito's eye was not examined by a doctor of their choice.

After the doctor gave the go-ahead, many experts speculated that the eye could play a role in the fight. Indeed, it did. Margarito's eye helped Cotto gain the revenge he's so badly desired for over three-and-a-half years.

Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito will have a rematch of their 2008 fight, a bout that Margarito won the in the 11th round.

Things are going to be a little bit different this time around, though. Actually, they are going to be much different this time. Cotto (36-2, 29 KOs) will get his revenge by knocking out Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs), which will probably end up in another fight in the foreseeable future.

I believe that we will see Cotto more focused and determined than at any point in his professional career.

Cotto was embarrassed by his defeat in their first fight. He knows that he had his chances early in the bout but failed to capitalize on certain opportunities.

It marked the second loss for Cotto in his career. He hasn’t tasted defeat that often, but I can guarantee you that he will be a much better fighter than he was in 2008. He has felt that defeat for a while now, and he is itching at the opportunity to get another crack.

Cotto will be focused. He will be smart, and he will be looking to inflict major damage.

If you love watching two boxers fight out of hatred, then tune in to this match. This fight will have everything you are looking for and then some. These two boxers absolutely can’t stand one another.

Both will show 100 percent effort, but only one (unless there is a draw) will be victorious.

Cotto will use his frustration from the previous defeat to his advantage. He will come out strong and work his strategy to a tee, looking to punish Margarito at every opportunity.

This will be one heck of a fight, but Cotto will get the final laugh. He will end Margarito’s night with a knockout.

Miguel Cotto will defend his championship belt against a familiar foe tonight. Cotto’s WBA junior middleweight title is on the line against Antonio Margarito, who defeated Cotto by TKO in 2008.

Despite the title implications, though, the fight won’t be held at the full junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds. Instead, after much negotiation, the fighters agreed on a catch weight of 153 pounds, with Margarito weighing in at 152.5 and Cotto at 152.25.

Even this slight reduction in weight has to be considered a victory for Cotto, who is already the less powerful puncher in this bout. By forcing Margarito to drop even a little bit of weight, Cotto increases his chances of withstanding the few extra punches that might have done more damage with extra muscle behind them.

While Margarito is the more dangerous brawler, Cotto is the more skilled boxer. In their first fight, Cotto controlled the early rounds before Margarito’s superior strength eventually wore him down.

Of course, Cotto would argue that Margarito’s punching power in their 2008 meeting came from illegal hand wraps—a violation Margarito was, in fact, caught committing against Shane Mosley six months after defeating Cotto. There’s little danger of a similar offense going unobserved tonight, so if Cotto’s never-proven accusations have merit, he’ll be in even better shape in the rematch.

Margarito has an exceptional ability to take a punch, so it’s hard to see Cotto knocking him out. As long as he avoids being knocked out himself, his own technical superiority should be enough to convince the judges to give him the victory by decision.

Anybody who watches HBO’s 24/7 series on the upcoming Miguel Cotto versus Antonio Margarito fight should know that the main point of contention and animosity is, whether or not Antonio Margarito wore illegal hand wraps in their previous fight three years ago. 

Miguel Cotto has stated numerous times that based on the outcome of their previous fight, and photographs of Margarito’s hand wraps that he believes Margarito did wear illegal hand wraps.  Margarito has responded to Cotto’s accusations in an offended tone by belittling Cotto as a crybaby who makes excuses for his shortcomings. 

Yet, isn’t it conventional wisdom to think that there is a good possibility Margarito did wear illegal wraps in his previous fight against Miguel Cotto, where he was the underdog? If Margarito attempted to wear plaster-like wraps in his following fight with Shane Mosley, even though he was the favorite to win?

Regardless of whether he did or didn’t wear illegal wraps against Cotto in 2008; Margarito needs to get used to the fact that there will always be a shadow of doubt cast over the legitimacy of all his wins previous to the Shane Mosley fight.  It is a fact that he attempted to wear hardened plaster-like wraps against Mosley. The world has not been given a reason to believe Margarito’s claims that he is a clean fighter, who abided by all the rules prior to his encounter with Mosley. 

The only way that Margarito can start to heal his reputation in the eyes of the fans is through complete and total absolution.  He could learn a lot from boxers that have been in his position, like Luis Resto. 

During the late 70s and early 80s, Luis Resto was a New York journeyman welterweight that had some talent. He also had a reputation as a light puncher. In 31 fights he only had eight KOs.  During his career he compiled a record of 20-8-2 with one No Contest.  He wasn’t nearly as talented a fighter as Antonio Margarito. His connection to Margarito unfolds in the tale of his one No Contest decision against up-and-comer Billy Collins Jr. 

When Billy Collins Jr. met Luis Resto on June 16th, 1983, he was a young 22-year-old fighter with an impressive record of 14-0 and 11 KOs. Billy Collins Jr. was the overwhelming favorite. Luis Resto was only supposed to be a stepping stone, which is why the events of that night were a shock to everybody. 

Luis Resto appeared to have made monumental gains in strength, and beat poor Billy Collins Jr.’s face to the point of being unrecognizable. Despite the brutal beating, Billy was able to stay on his feet en route to what was originally an unanimous decision loss. It was after the fight when Billy Collins Sr., Jr.’s father and trainer, went to go congratulate Luis Resto that he discovered Resto’s gloves felt way too light and sparsely padded.  Ultimately, Resto’s gloves were confiscated. 

To make a long story short, padding was removed from the gloves. Luis Resto and his trainer, Panama Lewis, were both suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission indefinitely.  Just like the Margarito hand wrap scandal, both trainer and fighter were held accountable as they should be.  Also, like the Margarito scandal, both fighter and trainer denied any misconduct. Up until this point the stories seem very similar, but then they start to diverge a bit. 

The New York State Athletic Commission took a hard stance against the behavior of Resto and Lewis.  Luis Resto would never be allowed to box again. His trainer Panama Lewis would never be able to work the corner of a professional fight. 

Javier Capetillo, who was Antonio Margarito’s trainer during the Mosley fight, may never corner a professional fight again. If he never does, then justice on one part would be served. But, what about Antonio Margarito’s future as a professional fighter? Margarito was suspended from boxing for a year. A little over a year after the Mosley fight, he was in the ring fighting Manny Pacquiao for the World Boxing Council light middleweight title. Is this justice? 

I understand that Antonio Margarito and Luis Resto weren’t in identical situations; however, there are strong parallels. Margarito was caught with loaded hand wraps before his fight with Mosley, not after like Luis Resto. Yet, Margarito’s intentions were the same as Resto’s. Doesn’t that warrant a harsher penalty than a one-year suspension?

Luis Resto may have been able to return to boxing if it wasn’t for the unfortunate aftermath of his bout with Collins Jr. Resto’s cheating resulted in Collins receiving a severe permanent eye injury that would end his boxing career. Without boxing in his life, Billy Collins Jr. fell into a deep depression. He started to abuse alcohol, which later lead to his death. Less than a year after his fight with Resto, Billy Collins Jr. died in a car accident as a consequence of drunk driving. It is believed Resto's cheating destroyed the life of Billy Collins Jr.

Resto eventually was tried for assault, and spent over two years in prison for his actions in the ring. All the while maintaining his story of how his gloves were tampered with.  Finally, he publicly confessed his guilt in 2008, which is profiled in the documentary Assault in the Ring.

He also admitted that he used plaster of Paris wraps in addition to having padding removed from his gloves. In the documentary, Resto expresses guilt and remorse for his wrongdoing. He proved that he had a conscience. He allowed his guilt to supersede his pride. I wish Margarito would do the same.     

Miguel Cotto believes that Margarito used illegal wraps in their last fight, and there is no reason why he shouldn’t. Margarito acknowledges no remorse for his past misdeeds, and he has taken no responsibility whatsoever for them. Right now, Antonio Margarito is lying in order to protect his pride and honor just like Luis Resto did. Fortunately for Margarito, he was never caught with illegal wraps immediately after a fight. That is the only reason why he is currently licensed to box, and not in jail like Luis Resto. But again, has justice been served?

Antonio Margarito is no better than Luis Resto. He attempted to wear illegal wraps before the Mosley fight for the same reason Resto wore them for the Collins fight. The only difference is that he got caught before the fight. Even if he beats Cotto legitimately, that doesn’t account for his past transgressions. I hope he learns from Luis Resto and confesses his guilt. It would show the world that he has a conscience and some character. All he is showing now is that he is a shameless liar that cares more about his pride than the welfare of others. Until Antonio Margarito confesses his guilt in the hand wrapping scandal, he will never have any integrity in the sport of boxing or outside of it. 

Once upon a time not so long ago, Kermit Cintron was one of the few boxers revered by Puerto Ricans like me, as a great hopeful to add to the long lineage of exquisite Puerto Rican fighters. 

That dream is now over, along with the Kermit Cintron’s legitimacy as a high-level prize fighter.  Saul “Canelo” Alvarez knocked out Cintron with ease, which should be the end of Cintron’s career as a boxer.

Kermit Cintron showed great potential early on in his career.  He took up boxing at the age of 19, and he looked like a natural.  He made a name for himself in 2004 by beating fringe contender Teddy Reid.  His next fight came against Antonio Margarito, which resulted in a rough fifth round TKO defeat.  Regardless of the fact that he lost, Cintron gained a lot of respect in the boxing world for offering Margarito a slugfest that showcased two hungry and talented boxers. 

Kermit Cintron rebounded from the Margarito fight with impressive wins against respectable pugilists such as David Estrada and Walter Mattysse.  Although he once again lost to Margarito after capturing the IBF welterweight title against Jesse Feliciano, he eventually followed his defeat with a draw against Sergio Martinez and a decision victory against Alfredo “el Perro” Angulo.  Life once again looked encouraging for Kermit Cintron.

In 2010, Cintron’s inability to continue against Paul Williams after falling out of the ring in the fourth round, and a disappointing loss to Carlos Molina started to give boxing fans the idea that Cintron’s talents as a fighter were beginning to wane. 

Tonight was Cintron’s last chance to establish himself as one of the great Puerto Rican boxers of all time. 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.

Cintron came to the ring looking like an old fighter.  Instead of brandishing a freshly shaved head like most of his recent fights, Cintron came to the ring with a closely cropped balding head of hair that made him look much older than 32. 

Although his body seemed trimmed, he looked more emaciated than powerful. He threw light jabs throughout the fight, but seemed incapable of putting his punches together in combinations.  He looked like an amateur. 

When Cintron was able to offer up a right, it looked like it lacked the power that once seemed so prominent early on in his career.  Cintron looked weak in the ring and became very winded in the closing rounds. 

Alvarez looked good tagging Cintron with shots that hurt, but he had a lot of help from “father time.”  In the end, Alvarez dropped Cintron once in the fourth, which almost ended the fight, and would go on to punish Cintron until referee Hector Afu came to his rescue, ending the fight in the fifth.

There is no doubt in my mind that Cintron should retire.  It’s true that “Canelo” Alvarez is a great young fighter, but he didn’t have to do much against a faded Cintron.  Cintron at one point had a lot of promise, but his age has caught up with him.  He has taken a lot of punishment over the years and now it is his time to fade off into the sunset. He was good, but never became the special fighter that the Puerto Rican people wished that he would become. 

I hope that he will watch this fight and realize that he is a shell of the fighter he was when he fought Margarito.  When it comes to summing up his career, all I can say is that he was good but never great. 

Farewell, Kermit.  I hope you enjoy retirement.

Undefeated Freddie Roach-trained fighter Vanes Martirosyan (30-0, 19 KO) has declined an offer to face Mexican knockout artist Alfredo Angulo (20-1, 17 KO).

The WBC had declared Angulo vs Martirosyan its official eliminator for the chance to face WBC light middleweight (154 lbs) world champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (37-0-1, 27 KO) for his title.

The Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions, Eric Gomez, was livid over the fighter's rejection of his offer. Golden Boy promotes Angulo and Alvarez while Top Rank promotes Martirosyan. Gomez had this to say to Boxing Scene about the situation:

He turned it down. He's off the card. It's a fight the WBC ordered. The money was right. We offered him a good amount of money. We offered him neutral officials, everything. It was going to be in Cancun, HBO was going to televise, but he doesn't want to fight.

The fight was scheduled to be held on November 5 in Mexico, Angulo's home country, where he is stranded until his current VISA troubles can be properly dealt with.

Angulo returned last month from a one-year layoff, knocking out 26-year-old Joseph Gomez (17-5-1, 8 KO) in the first round.

Martirosyan has knocked out both his opponents this year so far, taking out Saul Roman (34-9, 29 KO) in seven rounds this past June and Bladimir Hernandez (18-6, 16 KO) in two rounds this past March.

My Two Cents

Even though this may sound like a clear-cut duck from Martirosyan, closer inspection says this might not be.

Considering the fact that Angulo is stuck in Mexico, Martirosyan may not want the unfair advantage of a possible hometown decision.

Sure, Golden Boy is saying they're offering fair judges, but hometown crowds have a way of influencing close fights.

The crowd will road so loud for every near-miss Angulo throws that a judge who is only human will tabulate the punch in his or her mind as a punch that hit, thus potentially changing their entire outlook on the fight.

Martirosyan has a lengthy undefeated record and it's best not to risk it against a dangerous fighter in his hometown. It's already enough that Angulo is a tough fight, but having to overcome hometown advantage too is a lot to ask of a young fighter.

Pawel Wolak (29-1-1, 19 KO) is ranked No. 3 at light middleweight by the WBC. Perhaps he might be a good replacement. He's got an action-packed style to complement Angulo. He also has no opponent slated on his calendar.

Wolak's only possible issue is his promoter Top Rank, but Top Rank and Golden Boy have already collaborated recently on two big fight cards and counting, effectively burying whatever hatchet they had between each other under a pile of money.

Top Rank's Yuriorkis Gamboa (20-0, 16 KO) faces Daniel Ponce de Leon (41-3, 34 KO) on September 10 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Golden Boy's Saul Alvarez (37-0-1, 27 KO) AKA "Canelo" faces Top Rank's Alfonso Gomez (22-4-2, 11 KO) on September 17 in Los Angeles, California.  

Alfredo Angulo (20-1, 17 Knockouts) will face Vanes Martirosyan (30-0, 19 Knockouts) on November 5 in Mexico on HBO. The winner becomes the mandatory to face Saul "Canelo" Alvarez for the WBC light middleweight world championship.

Golden Boy matchmaker Eric Gomez says that he "made an offer on Thursday" according to Ring Magazine. Both sides have talked extensively about facing each other.

If this match is indeed going down, this will be the third promotion Golden Boy (Angulo's promoter) and Top Rank (Martirosyan) have participated in together since Golden Boy founder Oscar De La Hoya's apology and hatchet burial with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum.

Top Ranks' Yuriorkis Gamboa (20-0, 16 Knockouts) faces Golden Boy's Daniel Ponce de Leon (41-3, 34 Knockouts) on September 10.

Golden Boy's Saul Alvarez (37-0-1, 27 Knockouts) faces Alfonso Gomez (22-4-2, 11 Knockouts) on September 17 at a split-site doubleheader with Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Victor Ortiz on HBO PPV.

Erislandy Lara (15-1-1, 10 Knockouts) vs James Kirkland (29-1, 26 Knockouts) is another light middleweight war expected to be on the undercard.

Lara is coming off a controversial first loss to Paul Williams (40-2, 27 Knockouts). Kirkland is on a two-knockout streak following his first loss to Nobuhiro Ishida (23-6-2, 8 Knockouts) back in April.

WBC Suggests Sergio Martinez Should Face Marco Antonio Rubio

WBC president Jose Sulaiman would like Sergio Martinez (47-2-2, 26 Knockouts) go against Marco Antonio Rubio (52-5-1, 45 Knockouts) with the winner becoming the mandatory to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (43-0-1, 30 Knockouts) for the WBC middleweight (160 lbs) world title.

According to Boxing Scene, Sulaiman said this:

It would be an interesting battle in Latin America and on a global scale, as Martinez is one of the best fighters pound for pound, while Rubio is a spectacular fighter with a devastating punch, and if both fighters want to fight each other—they can go ahead.

Sergio Martinez faces undefeated Darren Barker (23-0, 14 Knockouts) on October 1. Rubio stopped Mohammed Akrong (13-4, 10 Knockouts) in round five this past Saturday in Mexico. Chavez Jr. faces Peter Manfredo Jr. (37-6, 20 Knockouts) on HBO November 19.

The busy sound of the city streets, the traffic horns and sound of bells ringing, slowly becomes a normal synchronized rhythm. However, everything stops for a moment with people praising, clapping and blowing their horns harder as the pale skinned and red haired Saul Alvarez passes by. The 21-year old who became the youngest WBC junior middleweight champion is loved and treated like a celebrity in Mexico. Many already donned him as the next boxing superstar.

Everything was laid down for him, from winning a silver medal in the junior Mexican national championships, then winning the title the following year, all the way from his first professional fight after just 20 amateur fights.
He was Mexico’s new golden boy, and Saul gamely embraced it.

He had what it takes to be a champion -- the charisma, excitement, and yet he has something that sets him apart from a typical Mexican fighter. He is like Picasso working in the ring. Every fight is like a master piece slowly unfolding into your eyes. He is a complete package at a young age. He can slug it out and then methodically dissect his opponents. He can avoid three punches then gives back four punches in return.

Saul wants to be the best and follow the footsteps of the great Muhammad Ali. But somewhere down the line being the best means you have to fight the best. And it doesn’t have to be fighters who donned the same family name of a future Hall of Famer. Like Matthew Hatton which is Ricky Hatton’s brother and Jose Miguel Cotto, who is the brother of Miguel Angel Cotto.

There are no shortcuts and no free passes, everything goes into the chain. Logically, to stay on the top is to beat all the opposition or the nearest threat.

Winning against Alfonso Gomez this September 17 doesn’t really mean anything for Saul’s career. He is expected to win and dominate Gomez in a convincing fashion. That has been happening for most of his career─ he was always expected to win.

The real test would definitely be against Vanes Martirosyan, the undefeated Armenian who is equally fast and talented as Alvarez. Vanes is the number one contender that is slowly making waves in the boxing ring together with his infamous coach, Freddie Roach. If that fight happens, then it would be Saul’s ultimate acid test.

He is destined to greatness ever since the first time he put on some boxing gloves while he was still twelve years old.

Out of the ordinary synchronized rhythm of a normal busy life. One goes out of the norm. Saul who was called “Canelo" because of his cinnamon hair comes out special… Mexican fans knew they have a rough diamond in the making. It is his destiny… it’s in his genes…and Saul is just a fight away.

One Vanes Martirosyan fight away…