NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto both sported impressive, chiseled physiques earlier this evening at the weigh-in for tomorrow’s long-awaited rematch at Madison Square Garden. The overwhelmingly Puerto Rican crowd showered Margarito with boos, who in turn responded with smiles and taunts at fans in the front rows. Margarito tipped the scales at 152 pounds as did Cotto, who gestured to the crowd in appreciation. As reported earlier, Top Rank founder Bob Arum remained between the two and a staredown did not take place over concerns of a physical confrontation.
PREDICTION: Margarito says Cotto “hits like a girl,” but those 280 punches he landed are the main reason he hasn’t looked anything like the monster we saw that July night three years ago (and of course, not having loaded hand wraps). Cotto has been diminished as well, but he showed against Yuri Foreman and Ricardo Mayorga that he has more left in the tank than Margarito and has been more active. At this stage it’s doubtful Margarito’s chin, which in addition to the first Cotto war took over 600 punches from Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao, can replicate the amazing durability seen in 2008. Expect Miguel Cotto to still have some perilous moments courtesy of Margarito’s uppercuts, but gain his revenge with a 10th round TKO.
Brandon Rios may have had his last fight at lightweight after failing to make weight by 1.4 pounds. Rios, looking very drawn and drained, would be given an hour to drop the excess weight after weighing 135.6 on his second attempt. His opponent, John Murray, came in at 134.7 pounds.
PREDICTION: If Rios continues to drain himself to make 135, it will catch up with him in the ring. However, that time won’t be tomorrow night. Rios’ strong inside fighting and power should be enough to get him a seventh round knockout after some competitive early rounds.
Delvin Rodriguez: 153 lbs.
Pawel Wolak: 153.5 lbs.
PREDICTION: The first fight between them has an excellent chance to be the 2011 Fight of the Year. It was hard-fought, close fight and we shouldn’t expect anything different tomorrow night. Rodriguez is the better boxer, but Wolak dragged him into an inside war that he barely made it out of. Rodriguez has a few more offensive tools and this time look for him to go to war more sparingly and on his terms in route to a competitive majority decision win.
Mike Jones: 146 lbs.
Sebastian Lujan: 146 lbs.
PREDICTION: A very good opener. Lujan won’t go quietly, but Jones’ big advantages in speed and power will have this over via KO by the fifth round.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 