MARGARITO v COTTO

[Dioufy]

He was stopped on cuts to the waaay bigger man in Santos (it was very close) and he lost a close one to Williams (no shame in that as he's a freaky south paw) and yet again it was close. I understand Pacquiao being at the top for some people but Pacquiao lost both Marquez fight to some people, whereas Cotto has beaten people very clearly (apart from N'Dou but that was still clear).

Anyways, he'll be top of my list.

[kevo]

Cotto should win in the end, just, but he might have to go to hell and back to get there.

Pretty much sums up how I feel about the fight, but i'll be rooting for Tony anyway!

[hitman_hatton1]

He was stopped on cuts to the waaay bigger man in Santos (it was very close).

margo is a big tall welter.

hardly a huge difference in it.

margo is more a jr middle than light welter that's for sure.

i agree it was close.

deserved though.

for what it's worth i scored margo-williams 8-4 to williams.

i so disagree that cotto should be made p4p no1.

interesting to hear what others think on this.

[Dioufy]

I can understand why people would have Pacquiao at no.1 but I am going off Pacquaio's two close fights with Marquez and his loss to Morales. I am a sucker for undefeated fighters, and Cotto has done so well - first man to stop Corley, handing brutal first defeats to very decent fighters in Malignaggi, Urkal, Pinto, Torres, Quintana and Maussa, nevermind very good stoppages of Judah, Branco and Bailey. Plus the win against a legend in Mosley, proving that he can box as well as brawl. However, I am in no way saying anything bad about Pacman here (I love him) but for me, Cotto has done the cleaner work and should have no defeats on his record, whereas Pacquioa could easily have five. But it's just my opinion if Cotto beats Tony he will be P4P king on my list. It's only my opinion though.

[Kilburn]

Cotto by clear UD. I expect the pressure and toughness of Margarito will bring out the another peak performance from Cotto.

For what it's worth I don't think the Mayweather of today could handle Cotto now, who would have destroyed Hatton inside 4 rounds IMO.

[Chambers2]

It's a Cotto win for me, probably a UD possiblya late stoppage

[Wales]

Cotto should win in the end, just, but he might have to go to hell and back to get there.

Pretty much sums up how I feel about the fight, but i'll be rooting for Tony anyway!

Im with you Kevo, I love Cotto, but Im drawn to support Margarito.

[THEBUTCH]

Superb matchup. This could easily sit along side some of the classics in any decade, it's just down to Cotto and Margarito to put it all on the line and serve up the kind of barnburner we know they're capable of.

Cotto needs to control Margarito with his sublime boxing skills on the back foot, the more he's tempted to stand and trade Antonio's chances get better and better.

Whilst I don't think Cotto is unbreakable, no one has managed it so far and the competition has been very good...his unbeaten record is as genuine as they come.

Margarito's relentless pressure and willingness to walk through fire could pay off in the late rounds and I wouldn't be surprised to this happen.

The fans will be the night's biggest winners

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Aye its a good fight alreet, i cant help feeling that Margarito is 3 years past his sell by date, and as such i can see a pretty 1 sided late stoppage for Cotto

Still, im looking forward to finding our, Margarito is usually about 175 pounds at fight time, so for once Cotto wont be the bigger man in there

[Kilburn]

I'm surprised to see so many expecting Cotto to stop Margarito. Just can't see it myself.

[Gray-Fox]

I doubt there's gonna be a stoppage. Only way I can see that is just a sheer one off shot getting through.

I think and hope it's a tremendous fight/brawl which gives us opportunity for a rematch or two. And I'm a pure boxing fan saying that. Our sport needs it.

[Dioufy]

Does anyone know what time the weigh in is?

[WildWaylon]

I think we might just see an upset here. Its going to be a tear up, thats for sure and I dont think Cotto is going to look all that good. Dont write Margarito off, hes big and I feel Cotto will struggle. Lets hope its like the Ward/Gatti toe to toe classics.

[TerribleTerry]

weigh in video, including stare down:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeWwUwms1os

both look in great nick but the height disparity is even greater than I thought it would be.

Still, I am backing Cotto to come through hell fire to beat Margarito in another unforgetable Mexico v Peurto Rico clash.

It is fights like this that keep me watching boxing - I just can't wait for the first bell..

[Old bones Ian]

I don't think the height difference will make much difference, Cotto is used to fighting taller guys, and Margarito likes to get inside and punch.

I really can't decide who i think is going to win, and its one of those fight where you don't mind who the winner is, as both boxers seem to be good blokes who just want to prove themselves.
I envision this fight would fail to live up to the hype.

[Autobarn]

I think Margarito has been starved of big fights. The #1 guy at welter - Mosley, Forrest, Mayorga, Spinks, Mayweather - never would defend against Margarito. That, or never stayed champ long enough.

I think he will grab this chance & make the most of it. I'm glad he's got the opportunity. IMO he should have at least got a draw vs Williams, a horrid opponent for anyone. Margo is hardly slick but he knows what he's doing in there.

Hopefully, he proves to be Cotto's great rival. He's had a long, hard career but the man's got longevity and is a real hard nut.

Cotto's precision and extra pedigree may make the difference later on in the fight, but I reckon they will mesh very well. Fingers crossed it's a big fight that delivers on some action.

[Twinkle Toes]

I feel that Cotto is quite easy to hit and marks up with relative ease - I'm not sure Margarito is the man to beat Cotto, but I expect him to give Cotto a few problems.

However, with Cotto being in his prime, and his camp already looking past Margarito, I have to favour Cotto.

I'm not dismissing Margartio though, I think he has the tools to beat Cotto, i'm just not sure if he is a bit past his best.

[Gray-Fox]

Hope this is a great fight. ONe that saves the sport.

[Autobarn]

I'm sure Cotto will win. But I do think Margarito has it in him to drag the bout into a war and give Cotto life & death.

If it's a great fight, perhaps there'll be a rematch and even a rubber match. Can't see either being in a hurry to face tall, slappy southpaw Paul Williams. I suppose Clottey is already being lined up for Cotto.

[chesh]

I feel that Cotto is quite easy to hit and marks up with relative ease - I'm not sure Margarito is the man to beat Cotto, but I expect him to give Cotto a few problems.

However, with Cotto being in his prime, and his camp already looking past Margarito, I have to favour Cotto.

I'm not dismissing Margartio though, I think he has the tools to beat Cotto, i'm just not sure if he is a bit past his best.

On the evidence of his last 2 fights (KO6 Cintron, KO1 Johnson), I think Margo still has plenty left. Like Autobarn, I also thought he deserved at least a draw against Williams (I had it for AM by a point). I've picked Cotto by close UD, but if he's badly wobbled at any point, I think it's over. AM is a great finisher. Watch for Margarito to make a very quick start in this one.

[banjo]

I'm predicting a competitive but comfortable victory for Cotto(possibly a late rounds stoppage), although I'd love it if Tony beat him, LOVE IT!!!

:)

[Autobarn]

I feel that Cotto is quite easy to hit and marks up with relative ease - I'm not sure Margarito is the man to beat Cotto, but I expect him to give Cotto a few problems.

However, with Cotto being in his prime, and his camp already looking past Margarito, I have to favour Cotto.

I'm not dismissing Margartio though, I think he has the tools to beat Cotto, i'm just not sure if he is a bit past his best.

On the evidence of his last 2 fights (KO6 Cintron, KO1 Johnson), I think Margo still has plenty left. Like Autobarn, I also thought he deserved at least a draw against Williams (I had it for AM by a point). I've picked Cotto by close UD, but if he's badly wobbled at any point, I think it's over. AM is a great finisher. Watch for Margarito to make a very quick start in this one.

I feel quite strongly that Margarito should have just nicked that decision, vs Williams.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Hope this is a great fight. ONe that saves the sport.

saved from what?


Take away the tunny heavyweights and the sports in fine shape, no?

[THEBUTCH]

If boxing did need saving....Margarito and Cotto did the job in fine style. Finally watched it last night and it was absolutely exhilarating.