Predictions? I think it's about time Cotto redeem himself, he's a better fighter than Margarito and an all-time great considering his resume and level of competition. I think he's been in some tough fights and showed a ton of grit. He's inched his way closer to Tito ... and after all is said and done, might have a better overall career. Even though 20-1 (Tito) in title fights is hard to compete against.
Cotto will win, the one that needs redemption is Margarito he needs to be able to prove that he can win without plaster laced gloves.
Both are on the decline. Difference is that Margarito is probably in a free-fall now. I like Cotto by close decision. Margarito, and big pressure fighters in general, will always give Cotto trouble.
I say that Cotto was close to stopping Margarito the first time but that pressure and those body shots wore Cotto down and he didn't clinch which was something he needed to do or fight more on the inside. I think Cotto is still at the top of his game and has a ton left in the tank, this will be a good redemption fight and will take Cotto one step closer to ATG status. He might just stop Margarito this time (Late)
Hand Wraps or not, margo still took cotto's best punches in the first meeting but i take Cotto by decision
That is so true ... the pressure, the confidence, and the overall brutality of Margarito won him that fight and he would've done that no matter if his hands were illegally wrapped or not. Disrupting Margarito's rhythm is the way to beat him ... clinch, push him, and side step him don't back up in straight lines. He's very hittable, he's slow, and isn't that great of a power puncher. He just keeps coming forward.
I don't see any difference in the rematch. Margarito's will pressure and punch output eventually get to Cotto.
i HOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE its in nyc so i can take da train and go,msg is due for a cotto fight.and i got cotto winning this one #redemption
Cotto just needs to be consistent in his game-plan and adjust a few things so that he can replicate-and maintain-his performance in the first half of the first fight.
I would have said Margo based on their last Pac fights... but I think that the beating Margo took from Pac is the kind that will permanently change your chin. I mean not just chin but his eye socket was broken and will probably never be the same. Like vasquez with his scars, just cant do it anymore no matter how much heart he has, they open up too easy. I think too that with Steward, they will have a good strategy and be looking for the right openings. Not sure exactly what it will be but maybe movement or whatever. Hes got a better trainer now that he ever did before.
Steward talked about using movement, but also emphasized backing Margarito up as well. That seems interesting and kind of counter-intuitive but I think he's got a point. There were points in that fight where Cotto would throw a combination, and Margarito couldn't see well or move forward in those moments because of the force and consecutive nature of the punches. Mosley's success proved he couldn't do much when pushed backwards consistently. Mixing it up between a stick-and-move strategy and an inside attack is a good way to get a convincing decision.
I hope this fight can be different, Cotto really need to win this fight. The only thing that will be the factor is Who have more in the tank. Margarito took a beating from Cotto himself, Mosley and Pac Cotto took a beating from Margarito himself and Pac. Both are past their prime, difficult fight. Margarito will be the favorite that for sure.
Cotto builds up some early rounds, Margo doesn't have quite enough in the tank to close the fight convincingly. Cotto wins 116-112 in a fight that feels closer than that.