**Rematch:Dec 3rd, NYC, Cotto Vs Margarito Countdown....Poll Added**

Ha that's quality. Fair play Elie :good

 

Margo is not the same fighter he was once. Cotto is a warrior

but very
faded.

"This will be brutal while it lasts"

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuyWoXsnxmM&feature=related[/ame]

Margo feeling the love in Puerto Rico!

 

Fat Dan Chat...

There is a hearing in NYC (no unexpected) next week to hear from Margarito's eye doctor to see if they will license him based on his eye injury. The hearing has nothing to do with the previous wrapping scandal. My instinct tells me it is a dog and pony show because I seriously doubt Arum would bring the show there, spend what he has already spent on the promotion, put tix on sale, etc... if he did not have certain assurances from the commission that this was a rubber stamp. But who knows? Anything could happen.

 

I hope so. Box News are saying it's off though.

SOMEDAY Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito will have their long awaited rematch, but it will not be at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 3 as currently scheduled. The New York State Athletic commission has already determined Margarito's past history makes him ineligible to box Cotto in their locale.

 

Rest of article below since I cant post link:think

This is a story that gets more baffling by the moment. Press conferences have taken place announcing the fight and the Garden is virtually sold out on the premise of the rematch, yet if Margarito is at the Garden on December 3, it will be in the role of a spectator and nothing more.

"The decision has already been made that Margarito will not be licensed for the bout. It was made a while ago" said the source who claims he is quite disgusted that no public announcement has been made yet.

When reached to comment, State Athletic Commission Chairwoman Melvina Lathan was non-committal. That in itself is a tell - tale sign that yes, there is validity to the fight being in danger of not happening.

The big question is why would the NYSAC wait to announce what is inevitable? "It is strictly a question of economics" said the source. "The longer they wait the more money the promotion makes. The show can go on anyway without Margarito." But wouldn't Top Rank the show's promoter, be obligated to offer refunds? "Morally yes, but not legally as long as a show takes place" says the source. "And don't think all parties are not aware of that."

Some of this makes sense, some doesn't. Cotto is a big draw with or without Margarito. His fans would swallow their disappointment at not seeing him get his opportunity for revenge, but would still enthusiastically support him no matter who the opponent was.

Getting someone to step in and replace Margarito on short notice will be much easier than thought. Two names instantly stand out, those being Vanes Martirosyan and Pawel Wolak. Both are in shape.

Martirosyan boxed recently. Wolak is currently in training for his rematch with Delvin Rodriguez scheduled for the Garden card. Of the two it would appear that Wolak would get the nod. Wolak is a local fighter and would pose a little less of a threat to the popular Puerto Rican than Martirosyan. Additionally, Wolak's slam bang style would likely result in a more entertaining fight with Cotto.

"That is not correct" Top Rank's head honcho Bob Arum claimed when told Margarito would not be boxing. "We have a hearing before the commission next week and will clear up the issue with Opthomologists reports." Which of course raises another issue. In Margarito's last fight a punishing loss to Manny Pacquiao, the Mexican suffered eye damage which if not healed could rule him out and allow everyone to save face in this fiasco.

"If the fight was off the commission would have announced it by now" claims Arum. Good point, and shame on them for not. Arum though is no innocent bystander. Before making the match and having those ensuing press conferences he should have gotten confirmation from the NYSAC that there would be no problems.

There is fierce infighting within the commission over this issue. This is a State that has banned Luis Resto and Panama Lewis for life over virtually the same exact thing Margarito was guilty of. How can you justify Margarito being licensed, but not Resto and Lewis?

Supporters of Margarito argue that he already was punished, serving a one year suspension from the California commission the State where the Mosley fight occurred. However, there were never any guarantees that Margarito would be given his license back after the suspension had run its course. He had to reapply and be approved. Apparently that has not happened in New York. The Pacquiao fight had taken place in Texas, a State known for rendering controversial decisions. Margarito's people targeted Texas because they knew this State would be far less reluctant to welcome him back than any other major locale in the United States. Backers of Margarito are now using this as a yardstick claiming his career has already resumed after the suspension was lifted.

The NYSAC commission is still haunted by Billy Collins getting his face butchered by Resto. It has been over 28 years since that fateful night at MSG, but the ugly memory lives on. Resto and Lewis went to jail for their crimes. Lewis still denies his role in the Collins episode. Ultimately Resto confessed after years of being in denial. Margarito has never taken any responsibility for his actions claiming to have no idea his hands were wrapped as they were. Having previously scored a sensational stoppage over Cotto, the validity of that victory has now been strongly put into question.

On Wednesday Nov.16, Arum will meet with the three commissioners who will decide Margarito's fate. They are chairperson Melvina Lathan, Edwin Torres, and Tom Santino "I am confident they will do the right thing. I have faith in them" said Arum.

There was talk a while ago of the State of New York, disbanding the paid positions within the commission. The three percent sales tax from the Dec. 3 show would help the State justify paying the salary of commission members. And yes, there will be a show, but not with Margarito on it. The State of New York will profit, but Top Rank in conjunction with HBO Pay Per View will have a scaled down promotion.

Cotto who is probably unaware of what is transpiring will doubtless be asked to accept a reduced purse that was reportedly guaranteed at six million dollars. Which brings up yet another element. Arum could probably convince Cotto to do so, but if the champion refused then the whole show would be in grave peril.

Arum will talk fast and hard, pulling out all the stops to convince the three commissioners to approve Margarito. Never underestimate this hall of fame promoter, who graduated from Harvard and worked under Robert Kennedy. But in this case Arum is facing an uphill battle, one already lost whether he knows it or not.

 

Arum maybe needs to grease a few hands to make sure the right call is made. Guess we'll not know for certain till the hearing next Friday.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0zHg5v2ERs&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

 

^^^ That's only a preview as well.