Man, seeing Antonio Margarito's career unfold and understanding the type of inner beast this man has. In retrospect, I believe he would have been Absolute Hell for Floyd Mayweather had they fought when the fight was sexy some years back. That version of Tony eventually would've made Floyd fight and not box. In that sense, I see why Floyd ducked him! At any rate, all a moot point now.  To Miguel Cotto, this certainly has to be the most gratifying victory of his career. I'm proud of him for FACING AND SLAYING his demon.  And lastly, how bout that LSU defense? They're ferocious as Mike Tyson would say. --Dante, Okc. 
Bread’s Response: Margarito would have been a nightmare for any welterweight from 2002-2008. He’s Antione Segur. Eventually you get tired of running and you face your fate. 


Stand up Miguel. The best soldiers are volunteers. Cotto asked for this fight. He’s a Hall of Famer in my book.
LSU is the truth. That kid the Honey Badger is sick.
 


What an interesting fight that's going to allow us to dissect. Personally I am very happy that Miguel Cotto won but at some point he was flirting with being a bad winner by wanting to just rub in his win. The bad blood was definitely showing. I think that Antonio Margarito came in with a great condition, not question about that. He also definitely has Cotto's number no matter how you look at it. In your view, did Cotto showed a better condition? He was getting somewhat walked on but definitely tonight Margo's punches had a different feel compared to 2008. When you compare Cotto's face on rd 10 in 2008 vs rd 10 in 2011 the effects of the punches were totally different. Would this be necessarily another proof of the hand wrap scandal? Anyway, what's next for Cotto in your opinion? Everybody talks about Chavez Jr but what about Floyd? Not saying that Cotto will necessarily beats Floyd and I know that Manny has the priority by the way, but I feel that fight of Cotto vs Floyd has more meaning than Chavez Jr or any other guy at 154. Anyway, what's your appreciation?

AO
Bread’s Response: Cotto was not being a bad sport. He was being a bad ass. I have no problem with it. Margarito tried to kill Miguel Cotto 3 years ago. So what, he looked at him in the eye after he beat his ass. He’s lucky Cotto didn’t send the Puerto Rican goons to his hotel room.
Cotto definitely showed better conditioning. He is still getting used to his new trainer but you could see the improvement. I have always hated how SLOW Cotto boxed in the gym. No other trainer that he had seemed to pick up on that. If you look at Miguel getting ready for this fight. He did everything fast. So when he was pushed fast in the real fight, he could respond.


Margarito is a hard puncher regardless of the loaded hand wraps or not. Cotto was not hit that much and in the post fight interview he had knots and whelps all over his face. But yes I think Margarito used loaded handwraps against Cotto in their previous fight. I don’t believe the 1st time he was caught was the 1st time he tried to do it. I’m not going to get into every technical detail and count the bruises on Cotto. Margarito is a ruthless cheater in my book. I want to point something out to you guys. Some people assume cheaters cheat because they can’t do something, but that’s not always the case. I know some guys in the street who can fight their asses off but they will still pick up a baseball bat and give you the business. Margarito didn’t cheat beat he couldn’t punch, he cheated because it’s in his make up to be a cheater. He wants to put hurt and pain on you at all cost. If he punched like Earnie Shavers he would still cheat. That’s just the kind of guy he is.


If Manny and Floyd can’t get together I expect Cotto to fight Floyd. That’s an 8 figure payday for Miguel. Cotto is the 3rd biggest fighter in the US besides Floyd and Manny. He is in great demand in the market. I expect Cotto to leave Top Rank and bolt to Golden Boy. I think he will fight Canelo or Floyd sometime next year.

 

 
What did you think tonight? I thought Cotto looked pretty awesome at times, he was in the zone man! And as for Margarito, do you think he is finished now based on that eye, surely he would be a fool to continue boxing ?--Thanks, Craig..
Bread’s Response: Margarito is done as a top fighter. He is totally finished. He has to train so hard and long to get his body ready for a fight. His eye is permanently damaged. It’s over for him and I doubt he can licensed anywhere but Mexico. Top Rank may push him, but the Margarito train has been derailed.

 

Great breakdown Bread! I thought the stoppage was the right call, although I wish they would have let it continue. I think Margarito was going to continue taking punishment; he may or may not have gotten KO'd, but there was NO way he was going to beat the Cotto of tonight with one eye.

The fight went much as I expected with Cotto constantly turning Margarito and landing the cleaner shots over the course of the first 9 rounds (rounds 4 and 6 were close, but I think Cotto landed the cleaner punches). IMO, even without the eye, Cotto was going to win by UD because he fought a much smarter fight. Cotto was beginning to tire as expected, but he didn't take anywhere near the punishment b/c he never stayed on the ropes too long. He also did a fair amount of strategic clinching when he was tired to conserve energy, and smothered Tony's punches on the inside. Had the eye not closed, Margarito would have come on strong, but I'm pretty sure Cotto would have won anyway.

After watching the fight, do you still think Margarito loaded his gloves in the first fight? I'm inclined to say no. It's hard to say because Cotto didn't take an equal amount of punches, but he still had visible bruising and swelling, which leads me to believe that Margarito didn't use wraps in their first fight.

Your thoughts?

kelvin
Bread’s Response: Personally I understand the stoppage but I didn’t like it. New York had one foot in and one foot out. I think he should have been allowed to continue. I mean the eye was no worse than it was against Pacquiao and he was taking a much worse beating in that fight. There were 3 rounds to go and he crowd wanted blood. This may sound sick but Margarito wanted this, so let him have it.

I don’t think Margarito would have won. But those last 3 rounds would have been dramatic. A desperate Margarito, blindly and frantically stalking a slightly winded Cotto who is up HUGE on the scorecards. The officials in boxing always get it wrong in my opinion.  Watching Cotto try to fend Margarito off in the Garden would have been epic. I hate to say but we were robbed of a climax.

 



Good observation, it's now 8 o clock has I type this. I really enjoy your articles. I live here in Philly and have done alot of boxing. I have watch that fight about ten times in the last 4 days and also magaritos fight with mosely and PAC man. Cotto to me bounces around way to much for my liking he doesnt have PAC mans stamina to do that. Cotto going to have to throw about 750 to 800 punches plus step not bounce around the ring,and stay off the ropes tie margarito up and to me not give ground so easily he did this automatically in the first fight Which to me gave magarito confidence. Your correct he does have to go to the body! Again love your articles! Ps I see Derrick ennis has a tough fight in February! 

Bread’s Response: Cotto didn’t go to the body but he found a way to tie Margarito up. He also pushed him back at times and he stayed off the ropes. He learned from his old mistakes. Great adjustment on Cotto and Medina.  Yes I hear Ennis is fighting Demtrius Andrade. Tough fight for him.


You are AMAZING!!! I just want to congratulate you from the
bottom of my heart and highly recommend that you consider doing some professional
writing (books). Start with a basic book, few chapters on history or how to train
a boxer, from day one-sixty. I bet that you will be successful, I don’t know
bro, you just got me with those few line on Cotto-Marg, I’m an educated man and
I don’t remember enjoying readings like I enjoy yours. Keep the good work!!!!
Go Cotto!!!
P.D. Puerto Rico is going crazy!!! Atmosphere here in San Juan
remind me Tito-Oscar in 98!
Bread’s Response: Puerto Rico HO! Puerto Rico HO! Love that song. I know New York and Puerto Rico are in a frenzy and they deserve to be. There biggest fighter got revenge in a Puerto Rico vs. Mexico duel. You can’t beat that for drama.
I can’t do a book just yet. I have to get more credentials and coach some fighters in big fights. I also have a lot more to learn but I’m on my way. I’m getting better everyday with my trainings. Thanks
 

 

 

Bread I have been reading your mailbag since you came on the site. I have noticed that many people called Miguel Cotto washed up when he fought Manny Pacquiao. Given the light of his performance last night, do you think that’s a fair assessment?
Bread’s Response: No it wasn’t a fair assessment. How can it be fair and Cotto fought Manny in 2009 and in 2011 he looked excellent. Manny has a bad style for Miguel. He’s too fast and too busy. Cotto will always have trouble with Manny. But that’s a good point you made. People said that Erik Morales was washed up when he fought Manny in 2005. Lol, ask Marcos Maidana is he washed up. When you are on top, people always try to knock you down. Cotto is probably about 95% of what he was in his prime. His feet looked light and his punches were crisp. I liked what I saw.


Why has no one reported that Cotto-Margarito II was fought with TEN ounce gloves, as required because it was fought a higher weight class (junior middleweight) than the first one (welterweight)? You three are three of the best. And to me, this seems like a very big oversight.--Perry

Bread’s Response: It wasn’t an oversight on my part. If Cotto and Margarito petitioned NY and asked to fight in 8 ounce gloves, then I feel that would’ve been worthy to report. But ALL fights over 147 are fought in ten ounce gloves unless petitioned otherwise. So it would be like us reporting what color trunks Cotto was wearing. Much respect Perry but I don’t think it was an oversight. I assumed everyone knew they would be fighting in 10 ounce gloves.