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Memorial Day 2024
To those that gave the ultimate sacrifice defending American ideals and freedom, and to the families that endured the loss, we g...
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By Randy De La O My earliest memories of the old Main Street Gym in Los Angeles are of my father and I going there to watch the fighters w... -
Photo courtesy of Rick Farris 1969 Southern Pacific A.A.U. Champions, El Monte Legion Stadium (top row) Pete Despart, ?, ?, Mike Quarry, ?, ...
7 comments:
First of all, I was shocked at just how much bigger Margarito looked than Cotto. Even knowing that he was the natural at this weight. It just looked like a man against a boy to me. Cotto was forced to play a role in a fight that he was not used to, the matador. Margarito was relentless from the opening bell, plodding straight forward hitting anything he could on his smaller quicker opponent. Arms, gloves anything to just touch him in some way with his heavy hands. All the while Cotto was boxing, boxing, boxing. Not in the way that those flick and run guys do it, but more like a fighter, landing quick hard left hook right uppercut combinations. He would stand his ground briefly land the crisper punches then move away. Cotto built up an early comfortable lead on my scorecard winning 5 of the first 6 rounds. But, as I watched the matador pepper the bull with combos lateral movement morphed into retreating. Cotto hit Margarito with everything in his arsenal, but it became clear to me that he just couldn't hurt him or even slow him down. I began to get that feeling of inevitability around the 8th round. Maybe it was the body work of Margarito or the lack of effect of Cottos punches on him, but , I could clearly see that Cotto was looking like the beat fighter. But, I knew Cotto was ahead in the fight and he was still winning most of the rounds on my scorecard. By the 10th round the momentum had clearly switched to the challenger and Cotto put in what looked like to me one last gutsy attempt to turn it around. Even though Cotto won the 10th on my scorecard with well timed flurries and combos,they had no physical effect on Margarito. And even though Margarito landed fewer less crisp punches in the round, they were taking a huge toll on the champion. Margarito was not going to be denied. By the time the 11th began Cotto who had been forced to hit and move throughout the entire fight was tired and disheartened. The uneasy inevitable feeling I got in the 8th round came to fruition and it was over. It was a very good fight, not one for the ages or even fight of the year in my book, but it was a good fight. Cotto will need to do some serious strength training if he wants to fight the bigger guys. And even though he was the crisper faster fighter, his power had zero effect on one tough heavy hitting new champion.>>>
Randy, This was my take on the fight. If you want to move it or something go ahead I posted a comment and it ended up here. Cya
Obviously,opinions regarding fight's of the year are pretty subjective.But,just to split hairs a little,if you google,say, 'fights of the year' on Ring Magazine-several of their picks have ended early.Just to take one example-Diego Corrales(RIP) vs. Jose Luis Castillo(2005)...where in the universe...could you find a better pick?
Not to split hairs either, but what I said was and I quote >>"To be a fight of the year candidate in my book I must believe that going down to the wire the outcome could go either way">>now going down to the wire doesn't have to mean a 12 round decision or a knock out in the last 30 seconds of the fight.I saw that fight, it was a great fight. And if the outcome of that fight wasn't in doubt then I don't what would be. I think everyone agrees that after the 7th or 8th round, this fight was inevitable. Not to mention there was no true ebb and flow where both fighters were taken to their limits during the fight. I don't believe that Margarito was ever in any trouble. Yes he took a lot of hard shots but I never felt that Cotto ever had any physical superiority at at time in this fight. Not to mention that Cotto seemed to just slowly deteriorate from rounds 5-9 and even in the 10th when he gave it that one big last effort. Now another good example of fight of the year is 1989: Roberto Duran vs. Iran Barkley the decision was bogus but the fight was awesome. Catch it on you tube if you missed that one.
Ouch! Why do I get that feeling that last bit about Duran v Barkley was meant for me??!!
Good review Scott, and overall we saw the same fight. I do think though, that when a man slumps to his knees to avoid any further punishment it is the equivalent of a dog going belly up in a fight. he surrendered in the most basic possible way, hence my remark about his manhood. I say that because that will be his take on it as well, regardless of what he says in public. His wife and son were devastated. I do think it is a tough way to see your father lose. personally, I don't think Cotto will come back from this beating. It was a mental thing as much as physical, maybe ever more so. If there is a rematch Cotto goes down even quicker.
Oh yeah, Duran won that fight, but I know what you mean about bogus decisions, kinda like De La Hoya v Trinidad. Even Trinidad couldn't believe he won that one.
LOL, good comeback R-Man. you have to admit at least that a GREAT fight is one that pushes BOTH fighters to their limits and beyond, having a true test of their ability to persevere in the face of adversity and defeat. Now if Cotto would have sucked it up, got up and somehow came back to knock out or out point whats his name then you would have the ingredients and makings of a great fight. Like Duran's heart against Barkley. except the decision of course.
I picked Margarito to win and assumed the fight would be a classic;but I was wrong as to how the fight played out.For me,I was never sure Margarito would pull it off til it ended.I also thought Duran beat Barkley-and I think Cotto took it about as far as he could without seriously jeopardizing his health
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