On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal called the welterweight (147 lbs.) battle Saturday between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito “a fight for the ages.” So, finally, the coverage of Cotto-Margarito has escaped beyond the bounds of the fervent boxing-oriented media. Below is your guide to the best writing and sources of info on this here fight for the ages: I must start off by tooting my own horn. I wrote three separate pieces this week, one explaining why the fight will be exciting and important, a second explaining the keys to the bout and a third with my prediction. ESPN’s “Fight Credential” is, as usual, indispensable. Highlights include the color of the blog, which makes you feel like you’re there covering the fight, along with the meaty recaps of each combatant’s key fights, the history of the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry and the like. Compubox brings the statistics. It looks like the betting odds are getting a little more realistic. Even though I think Cotto will win, if I were a betting man, I might put some money down on Margarito, even now. Seriously — 2 1/2 to 1 underdog? Don’t get it. HBO.com may just be wanting to make a little money, but I’m always impressed by their boxing coverage on their site. Check out the thirst-baiting half-hour Cotto-Margarito preview show, or the weigh-in, or any of the expert writing. Enterprising co-“Ring Report” blogger Sean rounded up some pro boxers’ opinions here. Some of the usual boxing sites that feature picks from boxing experts — such as at one of Sean’s other writing gigs, FightHype.com, or TheSweetScience.com, or SecondsOut.com — aren’t posting any predictions yet, but I think it’s likely at least some of them will. Nor has Yahoo’s Kevin Iole yet provided his report card, usually a good, quick preview. The mainstream media’s interest is piqued, thankfully. USA Today, which always has had the healthiest interest in boxing among big MSM pubs, examines the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry, and the fact that the welterweight division is doing A-OK without Floyd Mayweather. The Wall Street Journal does a very friendly write-up, which I mentioned above. It’s always nice when Sports Illustrated joins the fray, here focusing on Margarito. People are already talking about what’s next for whoever wins. I think Paul Williams is the next logical choice. So does he. (Unless Oscar De La Hoya picks the winner in his farewell fight, and you can hardly blame Cotto or Margarito for wanting to make the millions they’d get battling the sport’s premier star. Also, people are still talking about the idea of Mayweather coming out of retirement for the winner, but I’ve moved on, anyway.) Additionally, there’s talk of the winner of this fight going up against the winner of September’s Zab Judah-Josh Clottey bout, with Arum liking the idea of putting Cotto-Clottey in Puerto Rico. The undercard is woeful. Still, you may be interested in previews of all three bouts.
Cotto – Margarito Central: The Best Stories And Links For “A Fight For The Ages”
Posted by Tim Starks on Jul 25, 2008 18:24
