Cotto-Margarito Post Fight Presser

Report & Photos By Francisco Guzman
 
 
WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (32-0-36 KO’s) and 2 time welterweight champ Antonio “The Tijuana Tornado” Margarito (36-5-26 KO’s) remained victorious on Saturday April12 at the Boardwalk Hall at Atlantic City, New Jersey.
 
Margarito showed why he has always been one of the most avoided fighters of this century. Repeating what he did back in April of 2005 when he stopped Kermit Cintron (29-2-27 KO’s) in 5th round. Cintron was more competitive this time around but it was Margarito’s constant pressure and his work on the inside that eventually broke him down knocking Cintron out in the 6 round from a left the body. Margarito gave Cintron his second loss of his career. Margarito now holds the IBF title.
 
Miguel’s speed, power and experience were just too much for the over matched Alfonso Gomez (18-4-2-8 KO’s). The fight looked more like a sparring session while Cotto simply took his time, knocking Gomez down in the second round. In third Cotto put him down again from a body shot at the end of the round that seriously hurt him. Cotto continued to punish Gomez, knocking him down for a third time with a stiff jab in the fifth. The fight was eventually stopped after the fifth round by the ring doctor.
 
At the post fight presser both Miguel and Antonio did not have much to say about there victory.
 

Margarito: “This was a gift to my brother. What happens next that is in the hands of my promoter Bob Arum. There is a mention of a date but he’s the one who is going to say when it is.
 
Cotto: “We had a pretty good preparation for this fight and everything running more than we expected for night”.
 
Bob Arum looked like he was trying to promote a propose match up between Cotto and Margarito by having both fighters pose for photographers. Afterwards a battered and bruised Alfonso Gomez came up to the podium.

Alfonso Gomez: Well I tried. He is definitely a good champion. I wanted to take that title but I couldn’t. I am hurt but more than anything I am heart broken. I’ve been done by girls before so I know I can get over it real quick” said Gomez trying to bring humor to his loss. “Viva Mexico. I am going to try keep going. Try to capture a title sometime. Viva Mexico”.
 
“He does have power. I thought he was going to be more powerful. He did give me good shots to the body and to the head. But all in all I felt harder punches but he does hit pretty hard” responded Gomez on Cotto’s power.
  

When Bob Arum was asked about a possible fight between Cotto and Margarito this was his response. “First thing like we always do. We have to make sure of there health. How there feeling. How there hands are. The cuts and so forth. The target date is July 26th. I hope you conclude the arrangements for the fight shortly. Nothing is sealed. Nothing is done yet. I want you to understand that but as a promoter I can tell you that that’s my plan.
 
Miguel and Antonio were both asked about each other’s performances.
 
Margarito: “He demonstrated a good fight and showed one more time that he is an excellent fighter”.
 
Cotto: “Margarito came in pretty good shape. He’s a great fighter too. I hope we can put our efforts together to face each other on July 26”.
 
Bob Arum seemed content with talking about Mayweather.
 

Arum: “Obviously I am prejudice. There is one guy out there who I don’t think is a fighter anymore. He once was a great fighter. He is not a fighter anymore. A lot of the media encourage the nonsense. Encourage the f bombs. Encourage terrible behavior. Encourage somebody to go into nightclubs and throw money around. That doesn’t do anything for my sport”.
 
“I think Floyd probably watched the double header. I think he signed on to for the flight to Mars” said Arum poking fun at Mayweather for refusing to face Cotto.
 
Miguel was asked that in the 4th it looked like it was going to be an easy fight. It looks like you were having fun with him? “I never chase the knock out. I always try to do my fight. The referee and the corner stop the fight when they think the fight has to be over. I never make fun with an opponent. I was just doing my job and I try to do the best I can”.
 
“I came prepared if he came to box or if he came to fight. I was ready for it. His mistake was coming to fight. I don’t think he was ready to fight me” said Margarito of his fight with Cintron.
Did you see a big difference form three years ago?
 
Margarito: “I have been watching his other fights. I have seen Kermit fight since I beat him the first time and I always thought he was the same guy.
 

Arturo Gatti came up to the podium to present Cotto with a gift for his win on Saturday night.
 

Cintron was a no show for the post fight presser.