BoxRec

Now that we have all had the chance to see this fight, what does everyone think. First of all I have to say I was shocked at the negative criticism of both Santos and the fight itself (Johnny Nelson had a nerve to call other fights sloppy).

I personally thought the right man clearly got the verdict (didn't think it was close). Fair enough the cut certainly troubled Margarito and his concentration was affected, but I did like how Santos responded to being troubled and was clearly the sharper boxer of the two.

I didn't like the negativity that was given to Santos by the analysists (especially Barry) I was fighting a current world champion considered by many to be one of the most underated in Boxing. He fought alot more sharply and agressively as before and showed some good power. When hurt, he didn't go into a shell as he has in the past (Campas, Takaloo) he fought back effectively. What more can you really ask of him?

They were saying he struggles to sell tickets, but that was based on his reputation, he continues to fight like that then he will be a seller. He has the skills to beat anyone in the Light Middleweight devision, however is vulnerable himself. I enjoyed the contest, and enjoyed Santos' display.

I have to say that even though i've never been convinced by Santos, he looked the better man in that fight. I thought that the cut changed everything though (much the same as Earl vs Murray II), Margarito was looking to me as if he was just starting to get on top. After the cut, the gameplan went out of the window, and he made load of mistakes, which ws something that Santos, to his credit, was able to take advantage of. Had the cut not happened then we might have seen a different winner. I say might, but Santos for me had built up a lead, and may well have had enough left to hang on. It's all conjecture anyway.

I don't really know what Santos prospects are though. I don't think he's good enough to beat Wright, but fights with Mosley, Martinez, and a re-match with Jantuah all look like good match-ups. I'm not sure he's enough of a draw to get the really big fights. The only way he's going to break into the really big league is win against other top ten fighters, and hope someone will give him a shot at one of the better belts.

I've got to say that going to the scorecards after an accidental clash of heads is one of my biggest pet hates. It is far more benificial to some fighters than it is to others. It gives no regard to the fighter who knows that his opponent tires late in a fight, and knows that he'll pick up the later rounds. I'd much rather see a draw than this method, to me it just seems lop-sided, that one fighter should be punished and the other rewarded for an accident.

I've never liked Santos but he was definitely winning that fight. Margarito is often just a bit too slow with his big punches, and can't throw anything short.

If Santos were say, a German, I think we'd give him a lot more props. But a Puerto Rican is supposed to get in there and have a war or at least win coming forward - certainly when he fights a Mexican.

Have only watched the first round so far but I suspect when Santos hurt Margarito it delayed him from coming into his own. And by the time this actually happened he had lost on the cards (don't like those endings, suppose they have to happen though). I think Margarito is one of these guys who would be great for one big fight (most WBO champs). Unfortunately Mayorga at welterweight is the big fight I feel he's missed out on and I can see him continuining at WBO level for the rest of his career.