When a boxing event is at its peak there typically needs to be something great from one of the performers as well as undying enthusiasm from the spectators. There are thousands of boxing venues in the world which have played host to an endless amount of great fights, but nobody can deny the history or atmosphere that comes with a big time boxing event at Madison Square Garden.
One individual who has been lucky enough to experience a wide array of fight cards at the Garden as both a professional judge as well as an ‘unofficial ringside judge’ for HBO is Harold Lederman. From classic encounters in the 70’s and 80’s as well as watching some of Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad’s benchmark showcases, Lederman has experienced the highs that come with a Garden party on many different levels.
One fighter in recent years who has seemed to carry the torch as one of New York’s most popular figures in the sport is Miguel Cotto. The WBO Welterweight champion has had many standout performances at the Garden, many in conjunction with the Puerto Rican day Parade, and his connection to his fans and followers is as clear as day.
Lederman has been ringside for many of Cotto’s bouts, whether at the Garden, in Las Vegas, or in Miguel’s native Puerto Rico, and he can attest to the passion that the savvy boxer-puncher elicits from his crowds. Cotto is currently scheduled to defend his belt against Manny Pacquiao this coming November 14th and never before has he been looked at as an underdog is such a manner. Make no mistake about it though, as Cotto has a rich and storied boxing history on his side and will undoubtedly be fighting for his life once the bells rings.
For this edition of ‘One the Road with Harold Lederman’, I took a look back at one of Cotto’s finest and more complete performances as he faced off with the always brash and vocal Zab Judah. Combining speed, power, and an unorthodox southpaw style, the former Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight champion has always found a way to keep himself in the boxing picture and heading into his bout with Miguel he was looked at as a darkhorse by many.
Reflecting on the Cotto-Judah contest, Lederman opened up about the danger that Judah presented, Cotto’s strong connection to the New York fight scene, and the overall energy that the event created. In his own words, this is what Lederman had to say…
The Danger of Zab Judah… “Zab Judah is always a dangerous guy no matter where he’s at in his career. He’s a hard hitting southpaw and he can cause a lot of problems for guys. What I think Zab had going against him for the Cotto fight was that he was slightly inactive heading into that fight and he was also fighting out of his natural division. I always thought that Zab was a very good 140 pound fighter, not 147. When Zab moves up to 147 I think he gives up a little bit of power, much like he did in the Joshua Clottey fight. I liked Zab a few years prior when he was a little busier in his career and a little younger. By the time he got to Cotto I felt that he was at the tail end of his career as opposed to being in his prime.”
Dealing with the Southpaw Style… “I sort of expected that Cotto was going to win that fight but there was still some uncertainty. I expected an exciting fight and I thought that Miguel was going to put on a good performance. I was interested in seeing how Miguel Cotto would do against a southpaw with good power and speed. Certainly Zab Judah has all of that, from the speed to the power, so he presented a different puzzle. I don’t think Cotto has been in with a wide range of southpaws and I remember him being caught by DeMarcus Corley so you just had to wonder how he would do.”
Cotto and the New York connection… “I think he is extremely popular in New York and for good reason. He’s a good fighter and he’s shown good power. Even if he loses he is never in a bad fight and I think the Puerto Ricans respect him for that. Like I always tell other people, I don’t think he has the popularity that Felix Trinidad had but Trinidad was a completely different person. He was just a much more personable guy. Trinidad was the type of guy who was popular no matter where he went because that great personality and a great smile. At the same time Cotto may be quiet but he is respected for his abilities as a fighter and he shows what he can do inside of the ring. I think the Latin fans in New York love him for that.”
The aura of Madison Square Garden… “It’s an absolutely great arena. The atmosphere in Madison Square Garden for a big time boxing match ranks right up there with any arena I’ve ever been in during my life. It fills up with these Miguel Cotto fights and they often take place around the Puerto Rican day parade every year and it’s something you can’t really describe. When you pack 18,000 fans into Madison Square Garden there’s just nothing like it. If you want to be around people who really appreciate boxing you go to Madison Square Garden because those people who come to the fights just love it and many of them are just diehard fight fans. There’s always up on their feet and it’s very exciting to be there.”
Judah starting fast against Cotto… “Zab certainly put a little bit of fear into Cotto’s fans early on when he tagged him and stunned him. No doubt about it Miguel was hurt. Most of the people were there to root for Cotto but don’t’ forget that Zab comes from Brooklyn and he had some of his supporters there as well. Plus sometimes people from New York like to see the underdog win so it wasn’t a huge surprise when Judah got off to the fast start. Certainly there was a lot of cheering going on for both sides, at least early on.”
Cotto’s performance… “In this fight Cotto again showed that he was a complete fighter. After being stunned early he kept his composure and just slowly went on the attack. What he does is that he just wears guys down to the body. He takes a hell of a punch and he just times those left hooks to the body and I think that’s what wore down Zab Judah and really won the fight for Cotto. I think that fight showed what he could do against a smaller guy. Certainly if he starts digging those same shots into Manny Pacquiao’s ribs he is going to do some damage.”
Win or lose… “Let me tell you something, Miguel Cotto has a special connection with people in New York and the sport of boxing, period. Whether they are the passionate Puerto Rican fans or just the die hard, knowledgeable fans, both parties really respect the guy. It takes a special kind of fighter to sell out Madison Square Garden and make the place go crazy and Cotto has done just that. Whether he wins or loses on November 14th, he’s already made a name for himself.”
