The Neutral Corner

By Marcus Henry

If you're looking for any bold statements or predictions from undefeated WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, forget about it. Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs), who will square off against Antonio Margarito (36-5, 26 KOs) on July, 26 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is all business all the time.

During a conference call, reporters peppered Cotto with questions about his legacy, where he ranks among today's fighters, Floyd Mayweather's retirement, etc... But Cotto wouldn't allow himself to be baited into anything.

"It's not my job to put myself on that list," Cotto said when asked if he deserves to be crowned boxing's best fighter, pound for bound. "I'm not here to be compared to other guys. I'm just here to do my work."

Cotto has been on a brilliant run lately, knocking off the likes of Alfonso Gomes, Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Carlos Quintana and IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi. But those fighters lack the power and aggressiveness of Margarito.

Although Margarito's skills aren't lost on Cotto, he believes his training will be the difference.
"I've been training for nine or 10 weeks and plan to return to Puerto Rico with my belt," Cotto said.

In a rare show of self gratitude, Cotto admitted the last three years "have been wonderful" for him. "[The last three years] showed another Miguel Cotto," he said. "They showed a Miguel Cotto who can put pressure on an opponent."

Fight promoter Bob Arum, who has a promotional deal with both fighters and will be in the middle of everything, is understandably excited about the matchup.

"I admire both of these fighters," he said. "Miguel we raised from his first fight...Antonio had a number of fights before we signed him to a promotional contract."

What I'm most proud of is that both of these guys are in the limelight now."

The Neutral Corner's friend from the NYC fight scene -- GDM -- was at the press conference for the July 26, Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito welterweight title fight and sent along some observations, and some cool pics (above and below).

The setting for the press conference was the Marc Ecko world renowned brand of urban clothing and apparel facility in Manhattan. Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum presided and made it clear that this would not be a "Jerry Springer" type press conference. The press conference proceeded in an organized fashion and was free of incident.

Cotto was joined by his uncle and manager/trainer Evangelista Cotto while Margarito was joined by his two managers Francisco Espinoza and Sergio Diaz Jr. Margarito spoke in Spanish which was simultaneously translated while Cotto delivered his speech in both Spanish and English. There was an air of respect in the room and it seems that all of the energy will be utilized in the Las Vegas ring. This is certainly a welcome relief to raucous press conference and showboating fighters. We look forward to seeing the Puerto Rican-Mexico rivalry continue its historic legacy inside the ring.

Indeed. This fight has the makings of a classic. -- CASSIDY

The good news is that welterweight champions Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito will fight a unification bout on July 26 at at the MGM Grand Resort & Casino, Las Vegas. It will be an HBO pay-per-view event.

The bad news for East Coast fight fans is that it will not be held at Madison Square Garden. Cotto has had most of his recent fights at the Garden or in Atlantic City. In it's current issue, "The Ring" magazine is calling this fight, Floyd Mayweather's gift to boxing. It's true, Pretty Boy has avoided both men for the last several years. So now they'll fight each other.

Thanks Floyd! -- CASSIDY

BY MARCUS HENRY

The announcement of Oscar De La Hoya - Floyd Mayweather II threw a huge monkey wrench into the welterweight division. It prevented a potential Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto showdown in in the fall. For true boxing fans, watching De La Hoya and Mayweather hook up again is a waste of time.

Click here to see photos of the Cotto-Gomez fight.

For one, the outcome is likely going to be the same. Mayweather is still the best pound-for-pound guy in the sport and De La Hoya is 35. Second, the more a Cotto-Mayweather bout is pushed back, the more of a chance there is that either fighter could lose or maybe sustain an injury.

Had De La Hoya and Mayweather decided not go at it a second time, there is a good chance Cotto would not be fighting Antonio Margarito on July 26. And make no mistake about it, fighting Margarito could be dangerous for Cotto. Margarito, like Cotto, is aggressive and likes to go after the body. And Cotto, as great a puncher as he is, is vulnerable to a body attack. Jab Judah proved it. Margarito scoring a KO over Cotto is not a far-fetched idea. It could happen.

And Margarito is itching to get at Cotto. "They promised me Cotto," Margarito said after his TKO win over Kermit Cintron on Saturday. "And they better deliver him."

There is a flip side to this. A De La Hoya-Mayweather tilt will do well on Pay-Per-View. It won't get 2.15 million buys like it got the first time, but it should eclipse the 1 million-buy plateau, which is still considered the gold standard. Even the weigh-in was a big deal for the first fight as 7,000 people showed up to see it.

And the payout for both fighters will be tremendous. De La Hoya, who also promoted the fight got a reported $45 million. Mayweather's take was somewhere in the $20 to $25 million range. If you are Mayweather, what would you do? Face Cotto in a fight that could damage your legacy or take a huge payday and fight a guy with a name that you know you can beat?

Mayweather is taking a chance by fighting De La Hoya. Cotto could lose, which would leave him no one else to fight. But considering the money he will get from his bout with De La Hoya, it's a good chance to take.

One Top Rank official told me everything is up to Mayweather. "He could have this fight anytime he wanted," the official said. "He's not going to rush."

ATLANTIC CITY – It was easy pickings for Miguel Cotto.

Fueled by a relentless body attack, Cotto had no problems as he scored a sixth-round TKO over Alfonso Gomez and retained his WBA welterweight title at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City last night.

As routine as the fight looked, Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs) scoffed at the idea that he took it easy. “I wanted to work and do the right things,” he said.

As for his immediate future, Cotto is set to fight Antonio Magarito in July. The fight will take place in Atlantic City, New York or Las Vegas, according to Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels.

Cotto, who was called out by Margarito after his victory over Kermit Cintron in the card’s co-main event, said he’ll fight anyone. “I am going to be prepared for anyone, especially Margarito,” Cotto said.

Gomez, a former participant on NBC’s reality show “The Contender” was in trouble early and often as Cotto knocked him down three times. The first two came in the third and fourth rounds. The last knockdown came with about 1:00 left in the fifth round. Gomez’ corner stopped the fight shortly after the round ended.

“That was a real beating out there,” Cotto’s cut man Miguel Diaz said. “Cotto sent a message tonight that he will punish anyone who gets in the ring.”

Margarito wins IBF title. The first time the Antonio Margarito took on Kermit Cintron, it wasn’t much of a match as Margarito prevailed with a fifth-round knockout.

Last night was almost a carbon copy of the first match as Margarito (36-5, 26 KOs) battered Cintron (29-2, 27 KOs) into submission and came away with a sixth-round knockout and was crowned IBF welterweight champion. “I had him all the way,” Margarito said. “I’m surprised the fight went that long.”

Cintron, who acknowledged fight inside turned out to be a bad decision, promised to return. “I should have tried to box more and stay on the outside, but I wanted to prove something. I’ll be back.”

BY MARCUS HENRY

Round 1: Miguel Cotto was out for blood, literally, as he landed a straight left and cut Gomez over his right eye less than 25 seconds into the fight. Cotto wasn't as aggressive as he has been in previous fights, but when he chose to throw a punch, it usually landed. His biggest shot, a left to the body,came with a few seconds left in the first. Cotto 10-9.

Round 2: Cotto's body attack on Gomez has been magnificent so far. If finally paid off as he floored him with a short right midway through the round. Although several of my Ringside scribes felt it was a slip. Cotto 10-8.

Round 3: Gomez was game the first 1:30 of the round as he landed a few combinations. Gomez actually had control of things, until Cotto floored him with a left uppercut to the body with with five seconds left in the round. Gomez lucked out because under WBA rules a fighter can be saves by the bell. Cotto 10-8.

Round 4: Gomez is clearly overmatched. He's cut over both eyes and he hasn't been able to hurt Cotto. Cotto is peppering him with body shots and really dropped the hammer on him with about 1:00 left in the round. This is nothing more than a sparring match. Don't be surprised if this fight is stopped soon. Cotto 10-9.

Round 5: Gomez showed some resilience, but it was all for naught as Cotto knocked him down for the third time with about 1:00 left in the round. Gomez' corner stopped the fight. Another victory for Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs).

This fight was nothing more than a sparring session for Cotto. Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels confirmed that Cotto will fight Margarito in July. The time and date have yet to be determined.

Here are the official weights for Saturday's main bouts in Atlantic City:

WBA welterweight championship:
Champion Miguel Cotto, 146 1/2 pounds
Challenger Alfonso Gomez, 147 pounds

IBF welterweight championship:
Champion Kermit Cintron, 146 1/2 pounds
Challenger Antonio Margarito, 146 1/2 pounds

Click here to watch the weigh-in

-- CASSIDY

It's a busy boxing schedule:

April 11, Showtime (ShoBox): Unbeaten super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (18-0, 9 KOs) appears in his first 10-rounder when he meets Carlos “Baby Sugar” DeLeon, Jr. (19-2-2, 12 KOs), in a match between the sons of two former world champions.

April 12, HBO: Miguel Cotto defends his WBA welterweight title against 'The Contender's Alfonso Gomez in Atlantic City. Cotto is streaking right now and everyone is mere fodder for this hard-hitting champ until Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally decides to call him. Gomez cashed in on his 'Contender' status which landed him in the ring with an aged Arturo Gatti. This will be a lot different. Also on the card, Kermit Cintron defends IBF welterweight title against Antonio Margarito. Don't look for the winner to meet Cotto. Cotto will probably face Ricardo Mayorga at the Garden in July.

April 12, Showtime: Chad Dawson (25-0) defends WBC 175-pound strap against former champ Glen Johnson (47-11-2) at The St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL. Also, Clinton Woods (41-3-1) meets Antonio Tarver (26-4) for the IBF crown. This should be the start of a light heavyweight unification series. Cuba's Yan Barthelemy, who won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and defected from Cuba in December 2006 is also on the card.

April 19, HBO: Joe Calzaghe puts his unbeaten record on the line against 43-year-old Bernard Hopkins at The Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The pick here is Hopkins by decision. At his best, Calzaghe was never as good as Hopkins. Plus, Joe's straight-forward style is taylor-made for B-Hop, who is as good a counter puncher as there is. Don't be fooled by Hopkins showing against Winky Wright, everyone looks bad against Wright.

May 3, HBO: Oscar de la Hoya tunes up for his September rematch against Mayweather by taking on another 'Contender' alumn in Stevie Forbes. Oscar is back on regular HBO, perhaps for the last time. Enjoy him now while you still can. -- CASSIDY