I think Margarito will win again.

I'm not saying it's conclusive evidence, but I'd say, added to the fact that he evidently did have something in them prior to Shane, I roll with the 'Cotto was a harder fight so why wouldn't he have them for that contest' theory.

 

The plaster got the focus, but it’s the pads that are the real issue. That substance could have been a fixative for the pads. I think the plaster would get heavier over the course of a fight, so maybe harden is the wrong word.

I understand the view that the Mosley fight was the anomaly. He’d looked dreadful in sparring, was struggling with the weight, etc. But facts are facts: Mosley had looked like a spent bullet against Mayorga, so I doubt Javier and crew were overly worried about him. They saw him as a stepping stone to a bigger fight (not sure who that would have been though).

There’s also some merit in saying that Antonio’s style lent itself more to distance fights where his pressure could compensate for his relative lack of power. That being true though, Cotto just folded. He was getting hit with what looked like arm punches and they were taking it all away from him.

Consider the beating Pac put on him and he never looked that distressed.

I don’t really know, no one does except Margarito and his team. But I believe he started loading his gloves (or that his trainer did) after the Williams loss.

 

Which is fair. I don't know how much weight to place on that so I'll predict this fight will go the same way. I don't think Margarito has fallen as much as others do and I think the extra weight will help him more than Cotto.

 

I think his punches will have less effect this time.

Both have taken shellackings (margo, Pac/Mosley, Pac) so are probably still about equal, both less drained as well.

I just favour Cotto to not make the same mistakes this time, to clinch more in close, and pick his spots more to win a decision in another close fight where he doesn't take as much damage for a couple of reasons ;-)

:good

 

Who is the betting favourite? Seems fairly evenly split, which is strange in a rematch. Is it Cotto?

 

Cotto is 8/15 favourite on Skybet with Marg at 11/8 :think

 

I know i badly want Cotto to win, still think this is a fight full of 'ifs and buts'.

Surely the thought could have crossed Cotto's mind that what if he didnt load his gloves and was just naturally that strong (unlikely though). Will Cotto be mentally strong enough come fight night?

Will Margarito be going out to prove a point that he didnt cheat? Will he be able to force the pace early on and break Cotto down like before? Will Margarito's eye be able to sustain any more punishment? Will Cotto have enough strength at LMW to keep Margarito at bay?

I just genuinely dont know, roll on Dec 3rd! :happy

 

That’s why this match is so interesting. Margo hasn’t looked good at all since beating Cotto. Cotto at least looks to have regained some form against Mayorga and Foreman (who wasn’t much of a challenge really – despite many on here picking him to win). In fact, he looked really good against Mayorga and even scored the stoppage.

It’s a hard fight to pick if you’re taking a balanced view. I think Cotto can win a close points decision if he gets his early tactics right and is prepared to spoil a bit later on.

 

Spoiling is the key.

 

Agree, what impressed me was that despite Mayorgas attempts, Cotto stuck to his game plan and boxed smart, he didnt get drawn in to a brawl.

But can he do it against his nemises? The weight of expectation on his shoulders for this fight is HUGE. Margarito is in a no lose situation, if Cotto wins, its revenge he deserved. If Margarito wins he can say "i told you so, i beat him fairly".

I'm just not 100% confident that Cotto will be mentally strong enough to cope with the pressure come fight night.

 

8/15 on Cotto is a terrible bet IMO, whether you think he should be favourite or not.

 

I think there is a lot of pressure on Margarito. Cotto is still his best win by some stretch. If Cotto evens the score then it takes that away from him. Margo needs to get Cotto out of there. Even a points win will be a clear sign that what happened first time out was a bit suspicious.

Looking at the training videos we’ve seen of Cotto, he looks to be working on the physical game: pushing Margarito off, using his shoulders, working on the inside, etc. Margo has no technique or strategy beyond GO AT HIM!

 

Nobody talking about Margos eye?!


Its totally ****ed looking I thought, how can he be allowed to fight?

 

It's absolutely definite that piece of **** DID have loaded gloves in the cotto fight. It's not even in doubt in my mind. cheato knows he is a cheating scum bag ****.

Miguel cotto needs to make sure cheatos eye never works again after this fight.
I want to see cheato get his brain damaged for what he did and for the lying afterwards and for what he said about freddy roach. Cheato needs to pay severely for becoming the piece of **** he is

 

Thats what i mean though, no doubt Cotto will prepare correctly for this, but i have my doubt about his mentality come fight night if/when the going gets tough.

Will it be like a nightmare where it all comes rushing back and Cotto see's that same unmovable object of Margarito stood infront of him, refusing to back up.

I just truely don't know... i cant call it.