The Neutral Corner

On Saturday, at 9 p.m., Miguel Cotto takes on Antonio Margarito in a welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Here are Newsday's predictions:

Wallace Matthews: I like Cotto by decision in a terrific fight because he just does more things better than Margarito does, and the move up to 147 has made him a much better and more durable fighter than he was at 140. Margarito has a great chin which is why I think this one goes the distance, but his attack is too limited and dependent on the left hook for him to beat Cotto.

Marcus Henry: This fight is being billed as the fight of the year. And for good reason. With Floyd Mayweather "retired", Cotto was instantly touted the best welterweight in the world. He'll get a chance to prove it in what should be a great matchup. For Margarito, it's the fight of his career. With no big-time wins under his belt, Margarito needs to put on a good showing. But I doubt that will be the case. Margarito hasn't faced a fighter with the power of Cotto. Margarito's aggressiveness and power should serve him well, but Cotto has one of the toughest chins in the business. In 32 career fights Cotto has been hurt seriously twice (Ricardo Torres, DeMarcus Corley). But in both fights he recovered quickly and won by knockout. This fight will be brutal and bloody. But Margarito will walk into one. Cotto by knockout in round 6.

Mario Gonzalez: I think it will be a brutal fight with plenty of close rounds between Cotto and Margarito. In the end, I think Cotto will pull out the victory by a split decision.

Mike Rose: The Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry has a tremendous history in boxing. I expect this fight to be another great one in the rivalry. While Margarito is a very good fighter, Cotto is better. Cotto can box and he moves well. I think Cotto can counter what will be an undoubtedly relentless attack by Margarito by using his jab. Cotto needs to have a fast start -- something he doesn't always do. Margarito will look to gain momentum and win rounds early because once Cotto gets going he is unstoppable. Margarito is the stronger puncher, but I think Cotto's skill wins the fight. Cotto by unanimous decision.

Bobby Cassidy: This is a tremendous matchup, one of the best the sport has to offer right now. And I agree with Mike Rose, this will only bolster the great rivalry between Mexican and Puerto Rican champions. Cotto is one of the hottest fighters in the game. He has power and speed and a tremendous left hook. But the fact that Cotto has been hurt by lesser punchers than Margarito -- Torres, Corley and Judah -- says a lot. His one weakness aligns perfectly with Margarito's greatest strength. Power. I think it will be a war, but Margarito scores a 10th-round TKO to upset Cotto.

Jose Moreno: This fight will pit Cotto’s boxing ability against the chaos that is Margarito. While Cotto has the power and stamina to rumble with anyone in his weight class, he will try to dictate the pace of the fight by controlling a “safe” distance with a jab or three punch combo. Margarito wants exactly the opposite. He needs chaos and a close brawl where he can use his unorthodox punching angles to overwhelm Cotto with a constant barrage of punches. But Margarito should be careful. If (and when) Margarito swarms him, Cotto has the ability to land his patented and devastating left hook to the body. While Cotto hasn’t faced anyone of Margarito’s intensity, his wins over Zab Judah and Shane Mosely are evidence of his superior boxing technique as well as his ability to adapt. Cotto will win by decision.