BoxRec

Bennie, Im told the benefit for Johnny Lira went well.
Good turnout .

Cheers, Pug.

bennie wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

While I had to listen to my cousin talk about herself and eating lasagna,I missed this.

Would love to see Bob Arum's face. Margarito is one of those fighters - we don't get many over here - who is able to accept his disappointments and put them behind him quickly. European fighters tend to dwell more on setbacks.
Bottom line is, Margarito knows how to fight.

What a warrior! Antonio seems like one of those really good guys. No pussyfooting around for this guy. he just gets in there and fights. You couldn't ask more of a fighter. A tough, tough guy. He made a lot of new fans last night. It's guys like these two (Margarito and Cotto) that continue to make boxing the top fighting sport in the world.

dagosd2000 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

While I had to listen to my cousin talk about herself and eating lasagna,I missed this.

Okay Roger, what was on the menu? I've been drooling for Italian ever since you brought up the sausage and peppers a few days ago. I know there's a story to go with the lasagna.

Antonio Margarito knocks crown off Miguel Cotto's head

Antonio Margarito, who was the aggressor throughout the fight, lands a right hand against Miguel Cotto in the second round of their WBA welterweight title fight Saturday night. Margarito won with a technical knockout in the 11th round.

The Mexican fighter, a heavy underdog, wins World Boxing Assn. welterweight belt as the Puerto Rican champion's corner throws in the towel in the 11th round.

By Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 27, 2008

LAS VEGAS -- If Antonio Margarito thought he had trouble getting a fight before, he may never find anyone brave enough to take him on now. Not after the way he pounded heavily favored Miguel Cotto on Saturday in a World Boxing Assn. welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand.

In a dominating performance, Margarito had the previously unbeaten Cotto on his heels throughout the fight before knocking him to the canvas twice in a 30-second span late in the 11th round. Cotto's corner then threw in the towel, stopping the fight with 55 seconds left in the round.

Cotto, trailing on two of the three scorecards when the bout was halted, had been knocked down only once in 32 professional fights.

"Obviously, Cotto is a strong fighter," Margarito said. "But as the fight went on I told my corner I would wear him down and then knock him down. I told them [that] the knockout would come and the knockout came.

"He never hurt me, really."

Certainly, Cotto couldn't say the same, bolting from the ring immediately after the fight. With a look of shock on a face that was bloodied and swollen, Cotto huddled alone in his dressing room with his wife and three children before leaving for an expected trip to the hospital.

Where Margarito (37-5, 27 knockouts) goes from here is tough to say, but at least he'll be calling the shots. With his punishing, aggressive style, the 30-year-old from Tijuana has been the welterweight other fighters love to avoid, with even Floyd Mayweather Jr. reportedly turning down $8 million for a fight with him.

Now that he owns the championship, though, anyone with designs on the title will have to come through him.

It's unlikely Oscar De La Hoya, still the most bankable name in boxing, will offer to make Margarito the opponent in his planned retirement bout in December. And Mayweather may simply choose to stay retired if coming back means fighting Margarito.

Which could make a fight with Shane Mosley, if he beats Ricardo Mayorga in September, or a rematch with Cotto (32-1, 26 KOs) among the most likely next steps.

"Life continues," said Cotto, 27, whom many considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world before Saturday. "It's not over for me. I'm going to take a long rest [then] decide what to do next."

Fighting with the memory of his murdered brother, Manuel, in his heart and his wife Michelle's name on his trunks, Margarito had promised to be the aggressor, but it was Cotto who attacked from the opening bell, snapping the Mexican's head back with a straight left halfway through the round, then rocking him two more times with hard lefts in the final 64 seconds.

Margarito, who spent most of Saturday in bed watching television, woke up in the second round, bloodying Cotto's nose. And he kept going after the Puerto Rican, who was forced to fight backing up as Margarito chased him around the ring.

But apart from the bloody nose, Margarito's punches appeared to hurt the challenger more than the champion in the early going as Margarito, a 2-1 underdog going in, grew tired trying to run Cotto down. That changed early in the seventh round with Margarito unleashing a powerful left hook that clearly hurt Cotto.

"In the sixth round, I could feel him getting weaker and I was getting stronger," said Margarito, who got $1.6 million for the fight, about half of Cotto's guarantee but still the largest purse of his 15-year career. "I knew it was my time."

Cotto, who appeared confident coming in, spending his time before the fight playing video games in his hotel suite, tried counterpunching with some success, but as the bout wore on, even that strategy lost its effectiveness, allowing Margarito to get in close enough to rock him with a right-left combination late in the 10th round that had Cotto covering up.

By then Cotto's face was a bloody mess and Margarito moved in for the kill.

"That was the game plan," he said. "Come out early, wear him down, knock him down."

Even after losing his crown, Cotto went out like a champion.

"This was Margarito's night," Cotto said. "He did an excellent job. He did his job better than I did mine."

[email protected]

kikibalt wrote:

How the f**k does Margarito make welter! He looks huge on his knees!

Congratulations to Antonio Margarito, a real fighter who keeps on coming and doesn't let setbacks faze him. He may not be the most talented fighter in the world, but it seems that very few in boxing can match his mental makeup, ability to take punishment and stamina. Just think if there was a current heavyweight champion who was similar to Margarito. The lack of such fighters in the heavyweight division is one reason why I hate watching so many of big guys fight at the present time.

- Chuck Johnston

Randyman wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

While I had to listen to my cousin talk about herself and eating lasagna,I missed this.

Okay Roger, what was on the menu? I've been drooling for Italian ever since you brought up the sausage and peppers a few days ago. I know there's a story to go with the lasagna.

Randy,I sent some pictures of the food and wine to Frank. When he has time ,he'll oost them. But here goes:lasagna filled with ricotta cheese,broschole(pork slices wrapped around raisins and mushrooms),sausage and peppers,chicken cacciatore. Proscuitto wrapped around breadsticks,fritatas,pizzaganne(Ricotta cheese with sausage made into a cake),antipaso,artichoke hearts with oil and vinegar,imported wines(red and white),sambucca and a lemon flavored liquer,anisette,and plenty of Italian bread. Espresso to top off the night.

Shit! I wanted to see that fight.

Great post, Chuck. Even in the golden era of the 1970s, the heavies were often seriously overrated. How many stinkers did Ali have.

Bit of trivia...

Can anyone name the former world champion murdered on Christmas Day?

kikibalt wrote:

Don't let anyone kid ya'. I could have seen the fight. Big deal. My sisters are having their annual Festa Bella Party. But you must realize that I'm the only son in the family. I am also the oldest. I'm in a very powerfull position. My father passed away 10 years ago. I could easily said to my sisters that I'm going to be there,but I want to watch the fight on PayPer View. They would have probably even paid for it. I would have gone to the back room and watched it.

I didn't do this because I was afraid that Margarito would lose. I didn't want to watch that. If that would have happened ,I would have watched the replay,but only once. But TONY WON! The not so good lookin' guy who trained at the old CREA Gym in TJ. He came through. I know ,at least for now,Mexican fans are very happy.

One thing when I go down there that kind of turns me off is that Mexicans like to contrast what they have with what the U.S. has. Mexicans feel bad that their country isn't as prosperous as America. When that discussion finishes,there's usually a let down.

I'm so happy Tony won the fight.Maybe for a few moments Mexico can can feel proud that they have a Champion. Take their minds off their daily struggles to make a living. Forget about what they don't have and what the U.S. has.

Mexico has Antonio Margarito from the Zona Norte who trained at the CREA. He is Champion of the World,and maybe for a few moments can be the Champion in the hearts of Mexicans. When I look at this picture,MY heart soars.

I copy this article by Randy from his web site, I hope its ok with him, if not I'm sorry.

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Antonio Margarito Stops Miguel Cotto
By Randy De La O

Antonio Margarito stopped Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas at 2:05 of the eleventh round in a incredible battle of attrition, to win the WBA Welterweight title. It was great fight. That may be an understatement.

Like a big cat, relentless in his pursuit of his next meal, uncompromising, hungry, unstoppable, unwavering, Antonio Margarito ate Miguel Cotto alive. Despite what Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman were saying, Cotto did not completely dominate the early rounds. It was give and take until the six round when Margarito found his range, his tempo and his will. It was an inevitable ending.

He didn’t just win the fight, he systematically broke down Cotto’s will. In the seventh round, I saw surrender in Cotto’s eyes, and where in the earlier rounds Cotto was punching with authority, from the seventh round on his punches were thrown with desperation. His will was gone, only his pride kept him up, and sadly even that would go in a few rounds.

No, Margarito didn’t just beat him, he took his manhood. Carrying all of Mexico on his back, he out manned him, out gunned him. In a epic battle of machismo, it was Antonio that was left standing. In the end Cotto surrendered meekly on his knees, a thoroughly beaten man. Sadly his wife and son were in the crowd and saw it unfold. No son should have to see his father lose in such a way.

In much the same way the same way Julio Cesar Chavez broke down Meldrick Taylor (I don’t care what the scorecards were) and Edwin Rosario, Margarito wore down Cotto. He patiently stuck with his game plan and it paid off. Cotto had his moments in the fight, to be sure. He was countering much of what Antonio was throwing, but he just could not stop the forward momentum of Margarito, who has a chin that would have made Rocky Marciano proud. In the battle of the irresistible force against the immovable object, the object

bennie wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

How the f**k does Margarito make welter! He looks huge on his knees!

Bennie, I'll give you another freakish welter. Remember Crisanto Espana? A Venezuelan welter who somehow based himself out of Belfast no less with the Eastwoods. Even married an Irish girl I understand. Anyway, a story Steve Collins, the Dublin middleweight/supermiddleweight champ related, was he sparred with Espana the welterweight and everytime Collins saw a punch coming he would time it and lean back out of its way, but he was getting tagged regardless. He was thinking his timing was simply off until the two of them were in the locker room changing and Collins was leaning down tieing his shoe, peered up to see Espana scratching his shin. The kicker was that he wasn't leaning over to do it, but standing erect. Talk about neanderthal-like arms.

Scartissue

kikibalt wrote:I copy this article by Randy from his web site, I hope its ok with him, if not I'm sorry.

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Antonio Margarito Stops Miguel Cotto
By Randy De La O

Antonio Margarito stopped Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas at 2:05 of the eleventh round in a incredible battle of attrition, to win the WBA Welterweight title. It was great fight. That may be an understatement.

Like a big cat, relentless in his pursuit of his next meal, uncompromising, hungry, unstoppable, unwavering, Antonio Margarito ate Miguel Cotto alive. Despite what Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman were saying, Cotto did not completely dominate the early rounds. It was give and take until the six round when Margarito found his range, his tempo and his will. It was an inevitable ending.

He didn’t just win the fight, he systematically broke down Cotto’s will. In the seventh round, I saw surrender in Cotto’s eyes, and where in the earlier rounds Cotto was punching with authority, from the seventh round on his punches were thrown with desperation. His will was gone, only his pride kept him up, and sadly even that would go in a few rounds.

No, Margarito didn’t just beat him, he took his manhood. Carrying all of Mexico on his back, he out manned him, out gunned him. In a epic battle of machismo, it was Antonio that was left standing. In the end Cotto surrendered meekly on his knees, a thoroughly beaten man. Sadly his wife and son were in the crowd and saw it unfold. No son should have to see his father lose in such a way.

In much the same way the same way Julio Cesar Chavez broke down Meldrick Taylor (I don’t care what the scorecards were) and Edwin Rosario, Margarito wore down Cotto. He patiently stuck with his game plan and it paid off. Cotto had his moments in the fight, to be sure. He was countering much of what Antonio was throwing, but he just could not stop the forward momentum of Margarito, who has a chin that would have made Rocky Marciano proud. In the battle of the irresistible force against the immovable object, the object

Heck no, I don't mind, but you left out the last word....moved.

bennie wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

While I had to listen to my cousin talk about herself and eating lasagna,I missed this.

GREAT win for Margarito. Now he can beat up De La Hoya.

Very happy to see Margarito win, but I wouldn't assume he'll do the same to Oscar. Oscar is an East L.A. guy, and has more talent in his little finger than Cotto ever had. People tend to resent De La Hoya, and I don't consider him a Bolanos, or even the best too come out of the Eastside, but he's a great talent when it comes to boxers of the day. If Oscar is determined to win, I see him having little trouble with Antonio Margarito. That all aside, VIVA MARGARITO! What a great fight! Chavez ended Rosario, Sanchez ended Gomez, and now Margarito keeps the history in order.

-Rick

Randyman wrote:

kikibalt wrote:I copy this article by Randy from his web site, I hope its ok with him, if not I'm sorry.

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Antonio Margarito Stops Miguel Cotto
By Randy De La O

Antonio Margarito stopped Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas at 2:05 of the eleventh round in a incredible battle of attrition, to win the WBA Welterweight title. It was great fight. That may be an understatement.

Like a big cat, relentless in his pursuit of his next meal, uncompromising, hungry, unstoppable, unwavering, Antonio Margarito ate Miguel Cotto alive. Despite what Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman were saying, Cotto did not completely dominate the early rounds. It was give and take until the six round when Margarito found his range, his tempo and his will. It was an inevitable ending.

He didn’t just win the fight, he systematically broke down Cotto’s will. In the seventh round, I saw surrender in Cotto’s eyes, and where in the earlier rounds Cotto was punching with authority, from the seventh round on his punches were thrown with desperation. His will was gone, only his pride kept him up, and sadly even that would go in a few rounds.

No, Margarito didn’t just beat him, he took his manhood. Carrying all of Mexico on his back, he out manned him, out gunned him. In a epic battle of machismo, it was Antonio that was left standing. In the end Cotto surrendered meekly on his knees, a thoroughly beaten man. Sadly his wife and son were in the crowd and saw it unfold. No son should have to see his father lose in such a way.

In much the same way the same way Julio Cesar Chavez broke down Meldrick Taylor (I don’t care what the scorecards were) and Edwin Rosario, Margarito wore down Cotto. He patiently stuck with his game plan and it paid off. Cotto had his moments in the fight, to be sure. He was countering much of what Antonio was throwing, but he just could not stop the forward momentum of Margarito, who has a chin that would have made Rocky Marciano proud. In the battle of the irresistible force against the immovable object, the object

Heck no, I don't mind, but you left out the last word....moved.

...


Sorry....

Did anybody notice that Margo. was totally dry when he came into the ring? like he didn't warm-up in his dressing room, thats why I think it takes him 6-7 round to get going, bad move on his trainer's part, if I'm right about him not warming-up.

Speaking of the Randyman . . .

Working so many hours these days has kept me away from posting on this board, however, thanks to technology, my cell phone has internet access and although I don't use it to contribute posts, it allows me to keep up on the action here. During the day, I pull the phone out of my pocket, between shots, and check out what Frank, Dagos, Pug, Bennie, Scar, Ray and Randy have to say. I feel bad I can't join in, but, when I get home sometimes I can get on the computor and put in my 2 cents worth.

Reading Randy's blog always takes me back to the days of Mel Epstein, the Main St. Gym and the charactors we were around at the time. When Randy reminded me of a dinner we had with Mel Epstein, 32-years-ago, it put in focus how things were back then, and what Epstein thought of Randy. I had given Mel fits. Alcohol and drugs weren't my problem, it was women, I loved 'em and when I mixed in a little booze and mota, well, it was off to the races. At age 24, after six pro years, I was finished. It was about this time I would stay in touch with Epstein, who lived alone and never drove a car. On holidays, such as Christmas & Thanksgiving, he'd often spend the day with myself and family, or my girlfriend's family. He was a charactor, and such a gentleman.

Mel became excited over a new young fighter he had hopes of developing into a top contender, and he would speak highly of this kid, Randy. When Mel would discuss his future contender, he'd always take a dig at me, as he did Mike Nixon to me when Mike would defy his rules. "This kid Randy has some real talent, and he doesn't show up at the gym with red eyes after one of those saturday night specials, like somebody I used to know". I would meet Randy, and share Mel's opinion of his new prospect. Good looking kid, looks you in the eyes, has all the right qualities of charactor that we know today are the foundation of a great fighter. The same qualities that make for a great man. My only worry for Randy was that he wouldn't let Mel run him off with his constant nagging. With all respect to Mel Epstein, whom I will put on next years ballot for WBHOF induction in the expanded catagory, along with Frank Baltazar's name, Mel could really ruin a good time. Mel really had a way of breaking up a good time, kinda like finding a turd in the bottom of a punch bowl. But Mel Epstein was a great guy, a kind man who never made money off his fighters, and was always "dipping into his cash register" to see his fighters ate right, or had the right equipment.

I'll stop here, I'm rambling. Just want to welcome Randy, once again, he's one of us!


-Rick

kikibalt wrote:Did anybody notice that Margo. was totally dry when he came into the ring? like he didn't warm-up in his dressing room, thats why I think it takes him 6-7 round to get going, bad move on his trainer's part, if I'm right about him not warming-up.

Yes Frank, I did notice that, it's the first thing I look for in a boxer, is he dry or steaming.. It seems the Mexicans are always slow starters, but this started fast. Once Margarito's engine was warm, the beat down started. Damn, what a great fight! A throwback fight, as we say. We in L.A. grew up with this kinda action EVERY week at the Olympc.

-Rick