The Neutral Corner

Through six rounds, Cotto is winning. Instead of meeting Margarito in the middle of the ring, Cotto is making Margarito chase him. Margarito is paying the price.

After six rounds: Cotto 58, Margarito 56

Round 7: Cotto was seriously hurt in the seventh after a series of uppercuts from Margarito. Margarito's pressure is getting to Cotto. Margarito certainly won round seven.

After seven rounds: Cotto 67, Margarito 66

Round 8: Cotto gained a measure of control and side stepped much of Margarito's power shots, but it's getting tougher and tougher for Cotto.

After eight rounds: Cotto 77, Margarito 75

Round 9: Cotto looks tired, but he's landing the cleaner shots, including several unanswered flurries. Margarito needs to get more aggressive and land more power shots.

After nine rounds: Cotto 87, Margarito 84

Round 10: Cotto was sticking and moving in the 10th and was winning the round until Margarito hurt him with a body shot with less than 40 seconds left. Margarito stole the round late, but he'll still need a knockout to win it.

After 10 rounds: Cotto 96, Margarito 94

Round 11: It's over. A tiring Cotto could not deal with Margarito's relentless attacks. Cotto doubled over after a hard shot from Margarito. After a quick recovery, Margarito came back again and Cotto just gave in. 2:05 into the 11th.

It was a great win for Margarito as his pressure was just too much for Cotto. Margarito's willingness to bide his time until he found an opening served him well. And again, I tip my hat to my friend and colleague Bobby Cassidy, who predicted a 10th-round TKO by Margarito. It was a round late, but nonetheless as close to accurate as you can get without being right on the money.

I really thought Cotto would catch Margarito in the sixth or seventh with a left hook. But Margarito showed his mettle and withstood Cotto's best shots. Margarito's win leaves the welterweight division wide open, especially with Floyd Mayweather retired.

As for Margarito's immediate future, who knows? But Margarito, based on his post-fight comments, appears to want to step in the ring with Oscar De La Hoya in an all Mexican affair. If not that, Paul Williams, who beat Margarito, is still out there.

-MARCUS HENRY