(IB-June 13, 2010) This quote could easily be attributed to Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. but this time there seems to be a new edition to the “show me the money” gang and that is none other than Miguel “I only want the big fights” Cotto.
These past few days have obviously taken their toll on the new WBA junior middleweight champion as he has been questioned numerous times regarding what path his boxing career will take.
Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28 KO’s) who is just 29 years-old, was asked if he had any plans to avenge the brutal beating he took at the hands of the now 32 year-old Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KO’s).
Cotto’s response was “If Margarito is able to straighten out his suspension issues with the California State Athletic Commission and THE MONEY’S RIGHT, I would consider him”.
A huge disappointing statement for Cotto fans.
We rightfully assumed that because there was so much controversy surrounding the fight between Cotto and Margarito where Cotto was totally demolished by the later to be suspected of using LOADED GLOVES Margarito, Cotto would love that fight to happen as soon as possible.
This statement by Miguel Cotto is far from appearing that he wants anything to do with the hungry, and ready to get back in the thick of things, Margarito.
The obstacles in front of Margarito have nothing to do with Miguel Cotto.
The CSAC will have nothing to do with the re-instating of a license to box for a fight featuring Antonio Margarito vs Miguel Cotto.
That fight, should Cotto choose to accept it, would be another prime-time event for YANKEE STADIUM in front of the pro-Cotto crowd Miguel so enjoyed when defeating Yuri Foreman recently for the title he now owns.
Miguel Cotto has carefully chosen his words to not completely rule out a fight against Antonio Margarito, but the mere fact that he wasn’t stating how THAT fight was the first on his agenda does seem rather odd.
So where’s/what’s the problem?
Antonio Margarito says he’s willing to fight Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., or anyone else anytime, anyplace, or anywhere for the opportunity to show who is the best in the world.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. continues to make lame excuses as to why he’s not interested in fighting Manny Pacquiao while avoiding any conversation including the name Antonio Margarito.
Manny Pacquiao continues his efforts as a politician while apparently dropping the majority of his demands for a fight with Mayweather, Jr., but he too avoids the name Antonio Margarito.
Many feel Margarito doesn’t deserve a chance to ever fight or challenge for a title ever again, but since he has served his suspension and followed all the necessary guidelines that would allow him to enter the ring for a bout that would never be fought in California anyway, what’s Cotto’s concern?
The allegations of manipulated gloves being used by Antonio Margarito are not unfounded and could even possibly be considered grounds for refusal to allow him to ever fight again…until he was given a 1-year suspension by the same CSAC that Miguel Cotto now seems to use as an excuse to never fight Margarito.
Suspension time served with no violations during the interim of that suspension and there are seemingly no fighters out there who want a piece of the now under the microscope Margarito.
There is obviously a fear factor involved in the aftermath of the severe beating Margarito administered Cotto and quite understandably he is being extremely cautious about any rematch.
Miguel Cotto can acknowledge the past situation regarding the possibility of Antonio Margarito using improper and illegal hand wraps in their prior fight by going into attack mode, right now.
Antonio Margarito is at a point in his boxing career where every move he makes is being heavily scrutinized from top to bottom, head-to-toe, front-to-back, and side-to-side.
If there was ever the right opportunity for Miguel Cotto to earn the respect of Antonio Margarito and cast further doubt as to whether Margarito was ever the punching machine he once was, it’s right now.
If Miguel Cotto is the champion many of us believe he is, then he needs to immediately begin negotiations with Antonio Margarito for a rematch that would definitely make him a nice payday and validate having the title CHAMPION associated with his name.
Unless he wants to participate in the “let’s wait and see who Floyd and Manny choose” sweepstakes, where he will be eliminated in the early stages, Miguel Cotto needs to fight (and defeat) Antonio Margarito to end that discussion once and for all.
