Miguel Cotto seemed to be a man on a mission. It was evident at every pre-fight press conference before Saturday’s bout, Cotto was determined to avenge a now-tainted 2008 KO loss to his foe Antonio Margarito. Mission accomplished.
Cotto used his superior boxing skills to defeat Margarito via 10th round stoppage. With an excellent mixture of movement and precision power punching, Cotto erased his demons when referee Steve Smoger halted the bout after giving Margarito’s face a tattoo job that would’ve made the L.A. Inksters proud.
At the bout’s end, Cotto stared down his opponent and admired his work.
“I wanted him to see me savoring my victory,” Cotto said, “with the one eye he had open.”
With the win, Cotto puts himself back into position for several big fights. Rumors indicate Floyd Mayweather Jr., Sergio Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are all possibilities.
For Margarito, future prospect are dim. Since being caught usual illegal, hardened handwraps in 2009, the “Tijuana Tornado” has lost three of his last four fights decisively. He’s also suffered severe trauma to his right eye in consecutive bouts. Could very well be a wrap for Margarito’s career – at least on the big stage.
