Oh shit.... here we go again. I can understand (and utterly respect) Cotto for wanting to avenge his loss to MargaCHEATO. But damn! It's a risky proposition. These are the key factors, IMO:

1. Psychological factor - I put this one first because it's going to come up in the pre-fight analyses. Miguel has to overcome that psychological factor of facing someone who beat him up badly the first time around. Although, if anyone has a strong mind and can deal with that kind of thing, it's Cotto.

2. Cotto's game plan - IMO, his getting together with Emanuel was by FAR the best thing to have happened to his career. His uncle was only going to take him so far, and Joe Santiago (no disrespect intended) was a nobody in the corner. Cotto had a lousy game plan against MargaCHEATO the first time around, and he had a lousy game plan against Pacquiao.

3. Weight of the fight - Again, IMO, the heavier they fight, the more it favors MargaCHEATO. Hey, he's taller and naturally the bigger guy. Like someone said in another thread... Cotto is a stocky junior middleweight. MargaCHEATO is a full-blown junior middleweight.

4. Cotto's stamina - Against MargaCHEATO the first time around, Cotto lost his steam after the 6th or 7th round. Yet against Mayorga, he showed good stamina, culminating with a TKO win in the 12th. Emanuel has got to work to maintain Cotto's conditioning to avoid a repeat of the first MargaCHEATO fight.


I'm torn... I'd love nothing more than for Cotto to avenge his loss to MargaCHEATO... but I'd absolutely hate to see Cotto lose to the bum again. At least I know he'll be totally prepared, with Emanuel in his corner. Emanuel has already thrown a few tidbits of wisdom out there, like saying that Cotto would need to put some power behind his punches and not throw them while backing up. He did that in the first fight and it got him nowhere. I hope Emanuel AND Cotto study the Mosley- MargaCHEATO fight, which is the perfect blueprint on beating Margarito. Cotto may not be as physically strong as Mosley... but if fights in close and makes MargaCHEATO back up, and attacks the body with his lethal left hook.... he should be able to kick his ass.

Me? I'll be on sedatives the night of the fight.