Miguel “Angel” Cotto vs Antonio “Tijuana Tornado” Margarito II: Revenge vs Redemption

Photo via boxingnewa24.com

It was then undefeated and WBO Champion of the world Miguel Angel Cotto (W 36 (KO 29)L 2) back in MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States last July 2008 exchanged leather against hot welterweight Antonio Margarito (W 38 (KO 27) L 7  for the WBA World welterweight title.

At that time, both are regarded as top fighters in the weight class and at the peak of their fighting strength that Floyd Mayweather not dare to face either guy.

In the first half of the fight, I saw Miguel Cotto winning and boxing very well against Margarito. Cotto was very effective throwing combination's from the distance keeping the surging Margarito at bay.

Cotto was clearly in control of the opening half of the battle and ahead in all judges’ scorecards. But the ever, stronger Margarito continued to pressure the Bomber from Caguas, Puerto Rico with tornado like volume punches that occasionally catches Cotto in the corner of the ring.

Margarito’s swarming style started to take a toll on Cotto in the middle of the seventh round wherein he tagged Cotto with devastating combination's to the body that started to wear down the agile Cotto.

Cotto was knockout by Margarito in the 11^th round that put Margarito as the feared fighter in the welter division.

However, controversy came up and tainted the knockout win of Margarito after he was busted by Sugar Shane Mosley’s trainer with illegal hand wraps before their fight for the WBA super welterweight in January 24, 2009.  

Many believed that, Margarito used the same illegal wraps against Cotto. During the fight Cotto was bleeding from his mouth, nose and ears – brutally and was badly beaten. Experts concluded that Cotto deserves again another shot against Margarito.

But the fight only materialized only after both men defeated one-sidedly by a common opponent in Manny Pacquiao.

Cotto-Margarito II is a matter of redemption and revenge. The fight will take place in Madison Square Garden, New York, on December 3, 2011.