I agree that the momentum did appear to start changing in round 9. Had it gone the full 12 I still think Cotto would have won on points, but the look on Cotto's face after the stoppage said it all for me - it was the look of a man who realised that: 1. Margarito did not cheat in their first encounter, and 2. Margarito was once again starting to impose his will upon him just like in the first fight. To me, Cotto looked disappointed in himself, because although he fought smart in the first half of the rematch, Margarito started getting to him in the latter rounds and Cotto realised he was hitting just as hard as in their first fight, no wraps required. So IMO Cotto fought smart in the first half of the fight, but fought scared in the latter rounds because he was starting to feel Margarito's punches again - you could see it in his body language and facial expression.
You could tell he wanted to let Margo continue. he kept asking the doc if that was it........even after the doc had told him to call it....lol. People see what they want to see. That being said, I didn't see any of the above. I saw Cotto starting to hurt Margo in the 9th. I saw Margo hard charging because the doc had already said, before the 9th, 1 more round......But I also saw him eating hard shots because of it...and I saw him being pushed back, and into the ropes and starting to get worn down. I saw Cotto's legs being fresh and his tactics so much improved that he was still clocking in Margo upstairs in the 9th with his faster hands and feet. Basically I saw a desperate Margo trying to turn the tide of the fight by turning up his already ferocious pressure. But I saw him get his arse kicked from bell to bell. Afterwards, I saw Cotto defiantly staring at Margarito. Basically saying that's what you get for cheating.
BS, Margarito took an a$$ whooping for 9 rounds, and was getting worse Cottos was disappointed because he want him to get d full treatment, if anyone is saying that he was scare o worry, that is a liar, he was in control and in a heck of a shape unlike the first fight, when by the ninth he was already spend.
Bad stoppage to say the least. They should of let Cotto stop him, which I highly doubt neither were ever in serious trouble or even close to going down. :rofl @ at all those saying Margo wasn't gaining momentum when the ref himself was in the ring with them! Miguel was more bothered by Margaritos punches than the other way around. Even tho Margo hadnt won a round he was always punching back. Either ways Miguel got his payback, great performance by Cotto, but the stoppage is what I dont like and even a shady guy like Margo to say he wasnt hurting Cotto then why wasnt he walking thru his punches like vs Malignaggi or Foreman? Im not defending Margo but alot of people adding some fiction on here.
I think Smoger was right to discount the eye injury going into the fight. However, there was an eye specialist there specifically to look out for damage and as soon as the swelling started, you knew he was going to have to play a big part in the fight. Unlike Smoger, he couldn't forget the eye injury and that was probably the wrong decision.
Yeah you could tell that Smoger did want to give Margo another round. I already knew that there was pressure from the NY commision to call the fight once Margos eye got bad. Margo was taking it and not going back and look like he could take more, but Cotto was looking good keeping his movements and letting his hands go. He wasn't going to get caught. The Cotto fans wanted to see more punishment, The Margo supporters wanted to see Margo get his chance in the last rounds, and Smoger wanted to see more action. NYSAC just didn't want to have the "blood" on their hand if it came down to Margo going blind in that eye.
I think they robbed us of the two of the most interesting rounds in boxing of this year. However, it was justified, but a shame.
This. Smoger wanted to do the right thing for the fans and Margarito. The commission wanted to do the right thing for itself. I can understand them doing that, by the way, but it's obvious why they wanted a specialist there. Had he suffered a serious injury, they'd have been ****ed because there were so many questions about whether he should be allowed to fight or not.
nut:nut Get a life man.....you guys act as if Cotto was hanging on the ropes gasping for air...Cotto had momentum as well and was pitching a shutout. If Margaret thought he was going to hit one out of the park in the final at bat with two outs then he and you are FOOLS!!!!:rofl:rofl:rofl