By Alex Mattis
“That is a modern boxing classic!” The words Max Kellerman bellowed as an elated Antonio Margarito rejoiced in victory and a crushed, bloody, and disfigured Miguel Cotto hung his head in defeat.
It was July 26, 2008 in Las Vegas when Margarito defeated Cotto, handing him the first loss of his professional career. The bout was an all-time classic that saw Cotto display beautiful boxing technique and superior skill to take the lead. Only to have the durability, power, and relentlessness of Margarito overwhelm Cotto and force his corner to throw in the towel.
Six months later, Margarito was set for the superfight of his career when he squared off with ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley. Prior to the bout, a cast-like substance was discovered in Margarito’s wraps. It was immediately removed and Margarito’s hands were re-wrapped. The beating Mosely gave Margarito wouldn’t rival the one that his career took post-fight.
Following the bout, Margarito and trainer, Javier Capetillo, had their licenses indefinitely suspended. While Margarito eventually had his license granted again, doubts of his Cotto victory have never subsided.
This is the fuel of tonight’s fire: Cotto truly believes he was beaten with loaded gloves. Margarito will forever declare his innocence and proclaims that he was the better man in 2008.
It’s been a long road to this rematch. The careers and lives of both men have hit ups and down. Cotto has won and lost fights; he has lost a father. Many say he’s forever been a changed man since the first defeat. Margarito has won and lost fights; he lost his father-like trainer. His career will always be tainted from the controversy in Los Angeles. The recollection of each other, however, has never left their lives.
Antonio Margarito could be telling the truth when he says he beat Cotto clean, with no plaster. But, it doesn’t matter. Tonight, Miguel Cotto is going to fight like a man who had his and his family’s future, put in jeopardy. Margarito will justly go to war as a man defending his honor and integrity.
The final statements of the 24/7 series set a volatile tone as Cotto stated, “I’m going to take advantage of his eye,” referring to the recent surgery on Margarito’s right eye, “like he took advantage of the plaster.” Margarito with simple contempt proclaimed “F**k Cotto.”
For it is the simplicity of pride that has set the stage for tonight. It is simplicity that has lead to the absolute disrespect, distain, and dissolution that necessitates this fight. It is simplicity that has created the most real grudge match that boxing has seen in years.
In 2008, these two men gave us an all-time great boxing confrontation. It was a clash of two, fearless welterweights that no one wanted to fight. It was a battle in the nature of competition and determining who was the best. In 2011, two men with a personal vendetta will go to war to prove a point. Nothing else.
It doesn’t matter what these men have done in their careers up until this point. It doesn’t matter what they’ll do afterwards. What matters is tonight. What matters is this rematch. What matters is who is right. What matters is this, the fight of the year.
