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[Gurry]

Why arent we talking about this fight? Personally, i feel its going to be the fight of the year. Cotto's relentless body shots, and Margaritos infinite heart will make for a great match-up. I was wondering who you guys think is going to win?

The current betting lines are listed below. Completely unrelated, im going to Niagara Falls Casino this weekend and im going to bet on the fight, when you bet on the fight at the Casino, do they also show the fight there or are you on your own?

Im leaning towards Margarito for the upset.

MIGUEL ANGEL COTTO -245
ANTONIO MARGARITO +185

[Salvy_Mic]

This is the fight!! I can't fucking wait 'till Saturday, I've been anticipating this fight since last summer, when they fought Judah and Williams before being supposed to face off in November. We all know how that went, and I'm glad that Margarito has redeemed himself since.

It's such a hard fight to pick, and I'm a fan of both guys, which makes it even harder for me. On the one hand, do I like Cotto's well-rounded skillset, his versatility, his speed, and his sharpness to carry the fight? Or do I like Margarito's toughness, his durability, his inexorable win to push forward at all costs to inflict punishment on his opponent, not to mention the incredible hunger that he's had his whole career to finally get a fight of this magnitude?

My gut and mind are in agreement: this fight is even. Forget the line, I seriously think this fight could go either way and we'll probably see a rematch sometime down the line. There is no way this fight will be less than entertaining. At it's best, it could rival Vazquez/Marquez III as Fight of the Year.

But if I have to make a pick, I'm gonna go out on a limb and pick Margarito by either close decision, or late, late stoppage at a point where the fight is still in the balance and Margarito just outwills Cotto at the end. He's been waiting a long time for this fight, or any fight that would put him on the next level of boxing notoriety. You talk about guys possibly freezing under the spotlight, but this will not happen to Margarito, he's lived for this moment until now. I just sense that he's hungrier than Cotto, who is pretty damn hungry himself and has a potential fight with Oscar de la Hoya as a reward for winning this fight.

Cotto could be the one guy who could actually lay some hurt on Margarito though. Unlike Cintron, Cotto won't just stop after one huge punch and think it'll drop the other guy. He punches hard for all rounds of the fight, has incredible stamina, and is as resilient and gutsy as they come. He'll bust Margarito up. But at the same time, Margarito will bust Cotto up. Their livers will be smashed to bits. Both will bleed. Both will bruise. They'll know they were in a fight with a guy who wanted to win as much as themselves, who want to represent their country in the best way they can.

This fight, to me, will look like anything from Bowe/Holyfield to Corrales/Castillo to Pryor/Arguello. And frankly, if that's the case, we the fans are the true winners.

[Afro]

My friends wife was being indulced last night so he was waiting in the waiting room.. spent most of the time arguing with me about Cotto/Margarito..

I feel Cotto scores the KO.. I think they both are aggro boxers.. he believes Margarito has the better chin.. I agree but I dont think it will be a factor I think Cotto packs a lot more power, and outside of Torres who has really hurt Cotto? plus the last time Margarito boxed someone with a high punch count.. he got worked.. this time hes boxing someone whos not only gonna hit him often.. hes gonna hit him with a lot of force.. I think hes gonna wear Margarito out, and then finish him.

[Salvy_Mic]

Zab Judah had him hurt a few times in their fight, and I also seem to recall that DeMarcus Corley badly hurt Cotto during their fight as well. I for one think that this is a different Margarito from the Williams fight, and one who won't be puzzled by the height, length, and angles that the freakishly tall Williams gave him. Don't forget that he was coming on strong towards the end of the fight, in no way did Margarito ever get worked...he got outworked at the beginning of the fight and spotted Williams too big a lead. He's learned his lesson since then.

Body punching and activity are gonna be key in this fight, both of which are staples of each man's game. As far as I'm concerned, all physical and technical advantages even out when all is said and done. In that case, I tend to go with the hungrier man, and that's Antonio Margarito.

Make no mistake though, both of these guys are among my favorite fighters, so I'll be happy whatever happens. I just got a feeling that Margarito's due.

[Steve88]

my heart and mind both say cotto on this one guys.