Saturday night's Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito fight is widely expected to be one of the best boxing matches of the year. But in talking to a lot of fellow boxing fans about it, I've yet to hear anyone actually say they expect Margarito to win.In fact, I was a little surprised to see that the odds are only -265 for Cotto. The way people are talking about Cotto, you'd think he was more along the lines of a -500 favorite.
Cotto does deserve to be the favorite. He's the undefeated WBA welterweight champion and, more importantly, the No. 1 ranked welterweight according to Ring magazine.
But Margarito is 32-5 and the No. 4 welterweight, and I absolutely give him a chance of beating Cotto. Margarito is coming off a dominant win over Kermit Cintron, and I'm not sure if Cotto has fought anyone as relentless as Margarito.
And yet ... I just can't bring myself to pick the upset. I think Cotto will win it with a late-round TKO.
We'll be live blogging the Cotto-Margarito fight here at FanHouse.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-23-2008 @ 2:59PM
lewiemclellan said...
Margarito absolutely has a chance and this will be a remarkable fight. Casual fans, you will NOT be sorry if you splurge and spend the $50. This fight is 100% CAN'T MISS action between two world class welterweights. The winner could face De La Hoya in December, oh by the way...
MJD, the closest thing to Margarito that Cotto has faced is Ricardo Torres, who gave him his toughest fight ever--but that was at 140 lbs. Cotto has been a rock (read: no chin issues) at 147 and Margarito has his work cut out for him. This will be great stuff.
Reply
7-23-2008 @ 3:37PM
Wade said...
I agree with the people who are predicting a fight of the year from this one. Last year when De La Hoya and Mayweather fought, there was a lot of criticism about how both boxers went out to NOT LOSE or not get ko'd. Neither of these guys will fight like that. I think one of them will get ko'd, just not sure who.
Reply
7-23-2008 @ 9:55PM
Oak said...
MDS - what's your take on the undercard on this one? I'm not seeing a whole lot there, but the main event will likely get it done by itself. i just think cotto is maybe the baddest man on the planet - other than pacman - and will put on an impressive performance here. cotto in less than 8 is my take.
Reply
7-26-2008 @ 4:51PM
Big ron said...
Margarito is going to beat Cotto. Margarito is long and Cotto I don't think has the defensive skills to make him miss.Margarito has trouble with guys that are long and quick that move. Cotto possesses none of those skills. Margarito by KO 8th round.
Reply
7-26-2008 @ 7:26PM
boriquabomber said...
Get off the margarito bandwagon man, Miguel Cotto is a pure and complete comparable to many greats like sugar ray, tito trinadad, and the list goes on, Margarito is as smooth as they come but tonight the Tiajuana Tornado is gonna be dropped by the 7th round! Kermit Cintron is no Cotto!
Reply