Margarito prepared for kayo win over Cotto

By Francisco Salazar
Photography by Chris Cozzone
- FightWireImages.com

The way welterweight Antonio Margarito prepares for his fights, it almost seems as though he is entering a war and not just any battle. This time around, the “enemy” is unbeaten Miguel Cotto, and Margarito feels the artillery of his reach, strength, and will be his winning engines of war.

One thing is for sure: It will not be Margarito who will fly the white flag come Saturday night.

Margarito vs. Cotto’s highly-anticipated 12-round showdown will headline the “Batalla (Battle)” card, presented by Top Rank at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. HBO Pay Per View will televise.

Margarito has come into his own after growing up on the rough streets of Tijuana. He was introduced to boxing as a boy and it has been his passion ever since.

While most fighters reach a certain age and are brought along slowly, Margarito entered the professional ranks at the age of 15 and really had to learn how to fight as a professional, rather than as an amateur.

Before he could legally consume alcohol in this country, he was fighting boxers like then-unbeaten Larry Dixon and Rodney Jones. He would lose those two bouts.

Ultimately, he would begin training with better trainers, and secure the right management; later, he would hook up later with Top Rank. The result? An eight-year period where Margarito was unbeaten in 22 straight bouts. That string was snapped when he lost a close 10-round split technical decision to current champion Daniel Santos in Santos’ backyard of Puerto Rico.

Soon after, Margarito regained the WBO welterweight title and was unbeaten in his next four bouts, until losing a close 12-round decision to then-unbeaten Paul Williams in Carson, Calif.

It was not that he boxed terribly against Williams on that mid-summer’s night last July. Margarito admitted that he started slowly and had to rally in the middle and late rounds.

After losing to Williams, Margarito, now 36-5, 26 KOs, has gotten back on the winning track. After a six-round knockout over Kermit Cintron in his last bout in April, Margarito has the right momentum going into the Cotto fight.

Despite lucrative bouts down the road, Margarito is set for what Cotto brings.

“This is a very important fight for me,” says Margarito, who was born in the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, but grew up in the border city of Tijuana. “I know that this is a very hard fight for me. I have been very careful in my preparation for this fight. I am very ready.”

It sure looked like it as Margarito was very intense in his training during a media workout on Monday afternoon in Montebello. Margarito spent almost two hours working the mitts, speed bag and shadow boxing.

Margarito has prepared for different facets of Cotto’s game and what he could bring into this fight.

“I have prepared for his speed,” says Margarito, who on Saturday was only four pounds over the welterweight limit. “I have had great sparring for his speed and we had sparring for if he wants to brawl. One has to put lot of pressure on him, but to do it intelligently.”

Margarito describes Cotto as a good fighter and a worthy champion. Cotto has faced and beaten contenders and champions like Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Paul Malignaggi, Carlos Quintana, and Ricardo Torres.

However, Margarito feels that he may have the edge due to the fighters he has faced.

“The titles are there for me to win,” he says. “I have fought the better opposition throughout my career. He has not fought a natural welterweight like myself. I feel that he has only fought smaller fighters and has been able to impose his will on them.”

Margarito knows that a victory over Cotto could possibly land him a bout against Oscar De La Hoya on December 6th, which would mark De La Hoya’s final professional bout.

Recent reports through boxing circles have pointed to Cotto being the favorite should he defeat Margarito. One recent article reported that De La Hoya would rather not have Margarito as an opponent.

Margarito feels that he would be the best option as a fighter for De La Hoya.

“What is the fear? I would be a great fight. It would be an all-Mexican battle. I know that he had said that he would fight me. I think the fans would really want this fight.”

To say that there is a lot of hype is an understatement. This bout has all the makings of a classic battle between Puerto Rico versus Mexico.

“For fight fans, it is a big deal,” agrees Margarito, who is reportedly earning one and a half million dollars for this fight.

But for Margarito, it is difficult to engage his attitude. Margarito is a known gym rat, and one of the more humble, quiet boxers today.

Those close to him feel that his quiet demeanor shows the confidence that he will win this fight.

“I see him more anxious, but very positive,” says Michele, Margarito’s wife. “He wants the fight to be already here. Without a doubt, I see him more motivated for this fight. I know that he will fight to his best on Saturday.”

“He has been very focused,” said Sergio Diaz, one of Margarito’s managers. “It is almost that he eats and sleeps for this fight. What is going to happen is that fighters like De La Hoya and (Floyd) Mayweather are going to have to fight him once he beats Cotto. He should be considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters out there.”

Margarito has gone throughout his life and career going through and over numerous obstacles life has thrown at him.

He has persevered and has become a favorite amongst fans for his blue-collar work habits and attitude. Fans flock to him and he is eager to take pictures or sign autographs.

Now he face one more challenge in Cotto. There is no denying the talent and skills that the Puerto Rican brings. However, Margarito is ready for war and feels confident that he will be victorious.

“It motivates me when people say that Cotto will be a good opponent for Oscar’s last fight. I strive to be prepared to the best of my ability. When I’m done and I win, we will see what the people want for my future.

“Styles make fights and my style will earn me a knockout over Cotto.”