Cotto vs. Margo II, some final thoughts..?

[Mars_ax]

Although he dominated the action, this wasn't and "easy" fight for Cotto, he had to earn the 10th round TKO, but he kept his cool, had an excellent game plan, and stuck to it. I loved the way Cotto outboxed Margo, turned him when his ass started touching the ropes, tied him up and wrestled/bullied him into ropes. Cotto also caught Margo with some monster shots, and it was a thing of beauty watching him land jabs, and all those powerful combinations.

Margarito was the aggressor, (as usual) kept coming and made the fight competitive/interesting. I'll say this about Margo, to his credit, he's almost impossible to discourage. This time however, except in the 1st half of the fight his punches looked weaker and we're for the most part, ineffective.

Mad respect to Cotto, he vindicated himself, did exactly what he set out to do in this rematch, and showed why he is a champion, not just as a boxer, but in every sense of the word.

[captainanddew]

Although he dominated the action, this wasn't and "easy" fight for Cotto, he had to earn the 10th TKO, but he kept his cool, had an excellent game plan, and stuck to it. I loved the way Cotto boxed Margo, turned him when his ass started touching the ropes, tied him up and wrestled/bullied him into ropes. Cotto also caught Margo with some monster shots, and it was a thing of beauty watching him land jabs, and all those powerful combinations.

Margarito was the aggressor, (as usual) kept coming and made the fight competitive/interesting. I'll say this about Margo, to his credit, he's almost impossible to discourage. This time however, except in the 1st half of the fight his punches looked weaker and we're for the most ineffective.

Mad respect to Cotto, he vindicated himself, did exactly what he set out to do in this rematch, and showed why he is a champion, not just as a boxer, but in every sense of the word.

Cotto has gotten all he can out of his talent by being a true professional and working hard. He deserves respect for having taken on very good competition throughout his career (better competition than all but 4-5 guys during the past 7-8 years). As suggested by others, why not go down to 147 and give it a shot against Floyd. If he stays at 154, a Canelo fight would be huge, and he just might be able to win that fight. I'd do that if I were him. Go for the one last huge fight and walk away. If you win either fight, nothing left to prove. And if you lose, you have no reason to keep going on, having gone out on a huge payday. He could focus on promoting which I believe he has been doing and seems serious about.

He better not let Arum con him into facing the 180 pound Chavez Jr. That would be a travesty if Arum really pushes that and makes it happen.

[Manos de Piedra]

Final thoughts would be Cotto fought a great fight. Very disciplined stuck to the gameplan and boxed smart. Cotto didn't seem to fade as he did last time and looked stronger than last time. Made more use of the right hand, good footwork, overall great display from cotto. Margarito was his usual self, pressure and more pressure but he was ineffective for most part of the first 6 rounds. Would have liked to see it go longer so Margarito could get more of a beating because he couldn't see that left hook at all in the ninth round. Overall wonderful diplay from cotto and a great ending with cotto the victor.

[Mars_ax]

Although he dominated the action, this wasn't and "easy" fight for Cotto, he had to earn the 10th TKO, but he kept his cool, had an excellent game plan, and stuck to it. I loved the way Cotto boxed Margo, turned him when his ass started touching the ropes, tied him up and wrestled/bullied him into ropes. Cotto also caught Margo with some monster shots, and it was a thing of beauty watching him land jabs, and all those powerful combinations.

Margarito was the aggressor, (as usual) kept coming and made the fight competitive/interesting. I'll say this about Margo, to his credit, he's almost impossible to discourage. This time however, except in the 1st half of the fight his punches looked weaker and we're for the most ineffective.

Mad respect to Cotto, he vindicated himself, did exactly what he set out to do in this rematch, and showed why he is a champion, not just as a boxer, but in every sense of the word.

Cotto has gotten all he can out of his talent by being a true professional and working hard. He deserves respect for having taken on very good competition throughout his career (better competition than all but 4-5 guys during the past 7-8 years). As suggested by others, why not go down to 147 and give it a shot against Floyd. If he stays at 154, a Canelo fight would be huge, and he just might be able to win that fight. I'd do that if I were him. Go for the one last huge fight and walk away. If you win either fight, nothing left to prove. And if you lose, you have no reason to keep going on, having gone out on a huge payday. He could focus on promoting which I believe he has been doing and seems serious about.

He better not let Arum con him into facing the 180 pound Chavez Jr. That would be a travesty if Arum really pushes that and makes it happen.

Yep, Cotto vs Alvarez would be huge Capt, another Mexico vs. Puerto Rico war! It's time for Canelo to step up to the big leagues, but I believe Cotto schools him with experience and hands him his first loss.

I agree that a fight for Cotto with Julio Jr. is a bad idea, it ain't likely to happen since Jr. is a big middleweight. Julio Jr needs to get his ass handed to him by Martinez, i'd fucking love to see that fight.

Anyway, i'm happy for Cotto, a lot of folks thought he was finished/damaged goods after he lost to Margarito and Pacquiao, but he worked his way back to the championship level again and has to be considered one of the best P4P fighters in the world.. It really is a great success story, it's taken a lot of hard work, heart and courage to accomplish what he's done, great job Miguel!

[Manos de Piedra]

I would also like to add that I noticed another difference from their first fight, Cotto was holding when Margarito got close and smothering his work. Margarito has great uppercuts to the body on the inside which were the downfall for cotto in their first fight. The same uppercuts that seemed to hurt Pacquiao in the 8th round I believe. So the holding tactic that Mosley used to take Margarito's most effective punches away also worked for Cotto.

[Abelardus]

This fight was a great. Cotto couldn't have done any better. I honestly believe he should be ranked with in the top 5 P4P. Again it was a great fight and worth every penny.

[Mars_ax]

I would also like to add that I noticed another difference from their first fight, Cotto was holding when Margarito got close and smothering his work. Margarito has great uppercuts to the body on the inside which were the downfall for cotto in their first fight. The same uppercuts that seemed to hurt Pacquiao in the 8th round I believe. So the holding tactic that Mosley used to take Margarito's most effective punches away also worked for Cotto.

I liked that, smart move, and Cotto would sometimes push Margo off of him or tie him up on the ropes. A little headbutt on the inside by Miguel right on the already damaged eye was a nice touch as well.

[Manos de Piedra]

I would also like to add that I noticed another difference from their first fight, Cotto was holding when Margarito got close and smothering his work. Margarito has great uppercuts to the body on the inside which were the downfall for cotto in their first fight. The same uppercuts that seemed to hurt Pacquiao in the 8th round I believe. So the holding tactic that Mosley used to take Margarito's most effective punches away also worked for Cotto.

I liked that, smart move, and Cotto would sometimes push Margo off of him or tie him up on the ropes. A little headbutt on the inside by Miguel right on the already damaged eye was a nice touch as well.

I was having a ball watching that. Cotto pushing Margarito looking strong, holding and getting a headbutt in. It was great.

[Master]

There is justice in the world. Cotto proved that you do not have to die in the ring to win but come back later stronger for it and that Marg's punches did not have the same effect as last time, wonder why?

[TitoFan]

Although he dominated the action, this wasn't and "easy" fight for Cotto, he had to earn the 10th round TKO, but he kept his cool, had an excellent game plan, and stuck to it. I loved the way Cotto outboxed Margo, turned him when his ass started touching the ropes, tied him up and wrestled/bullied him into ropes. Cotto also caught Margo with some monster shots, and it was a thing of beauty watching him land jabs, and all those powerful combinations.

Margarito was the aggressor, (as usual) kept coming and made the fight competitive/interesting. I'll say this about Margo, to his credit, he's almost impossible to discourage. This time however, except in the 1st half of the fight his punches looked weaker and we're for the most part, ineffective.

Mad respect to Cotto, he vindicated himself, did exactly what he set out to do in this rematch, and showed why he is a champion, not just as a boxer, but in every sense of the word.

Excellent post...... not much I can add to that.

[Hulk]

From what I was able to see of the fight, and read it seems that my boy Mayorga actually did better against Cotto than Margarito.

He also did better against Shane Mosley than Margarito did.

So...

GO MAYORGA !

[TitoFan]

Final thoughts? Hmmm... Someone remarked to me last night that Cotto looked like the Cotto of old. Fast hands, beautiful boxing skills, lateral movement, ring generalship, etc. I have to agree. Cotto had a masterful gameplan. He outboxed Margarito in the first half of the fight, just like he did in the first fight. But the difference is.... he had more stamina. Also, he stayed off the ropes. When Margarito tried to pin him there, Cotto would spin him around and punish him. The haters (or closet Margarito fans) who say Cotto ran too much are missing the bus. Since when does boxing consist only of standing in the middle of the ring, trading shots and throwing caution to the wind? Like more knowledgeable posters have well said, Cotto was hitting Margarito with hard shots throughout the fight. However.... he waited until the 6th or 7th round before he started trading shots.... once he could see that Margarito's plaster-less shots were not having the same effect as in the first fight. It was a beautiful fight, full of action and drama. Margarito has a tremendous chin, gotta give him that. And he's hard (or impossible) to discourage, as someone else posted.

Cotto got his revenge and THEN some. Margarito's protests are empty words. The referee only saved him from a serious beating, as Cotto had already taken Margarito's plaster-less shots, and was starting to hit Margarito with huge bombs. Eventually, either the eye was going to fail catastrophically, or Margarito was going down (I was DYING to see that).

At the end, Cotto didn't yell, he didn't insult, he didn't go crazy. He just calmly walked over to the beaten Margarito's corner..... and stared at him. No words were necessary. Margarito knew what Cotto was "saying" to him. And when asked by Kellerman what he thought of Margarito after the fight, Cotto said very clearly into the PA system microphone: "Margarito means NOTHING to me." I could not have scripted a better and more satisfying ending.

When they show the rerun, I'll be sure to record it, so I can watch it over and over again.