Cotto and Margarito Destroy!
By: Bill Ethan April 12th, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey: WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto recorded his 32nd victory and 26th stoppage, toying and destroying # 11 ranked “Contender” Alfonso Gomez 18 -3-2, 8 Ko’s. Gomez became a household name competing in the TV boxing series “The Contender.” His biggest fight coming in was a 7th round Tko of an aging used up Arturo Gatti in July 2007. Other wins include a decision over battle worn veteran Ben Tackie and Tko wins over Martin Concepcion and Carson Jones no opponents near the caliber of Cotto.
Gomez threw almost as many punches as Cotto but he was consistently beaten to the punch. “The Contender” had the heart but the skill disparity was much too much. Gomez was out scored three to one in jabs and power punches. Never down before Gomez hit the canvas three times.
In round one Cotto established his superiority landing heavy hooks up top, then stopped Gomez in his tracks with a solid body shot ending the round. In round two Cotto was awarded a questionable knockdown but it was clear where this fight was headed. Cotto appeared to be toying with Gomez moving and boxing stopping only to land his power shots. Gomez punches seemed to have had little or no effect. In round three the young Mexican hit the canvas again after another thunderous body shot. As the fight progressed Gomez was taking a beating, eating a wide variety of shots. Cotto was scoring at will and Gomez was giving little resistance. In round five Cotto turned it up a noch a hit Gomez with several barrages. Then the Mexicans wide stance opened the pathway to the canvas once again this time from a jab signaling the end was near. At the end of the round referee Randy Neumann guided Gomez back to his corner calling for the ringside physician. After a quick exam the doctor called the fight for Gomez safety.
Considering Margarito had Cintron, Mosley and Judah are fighting for the right to a Cotto rematch and Mayweather is ducking the Puerto Rican star the fight served as a set up for a Margarito fight.
In the co-featured event welterweight Antonio “Tony” Margarito 36-5, 26 Ko’s usually a slow starter opened fast and let Kermit Cintron 29-2, 27 Ko’s know quickly the result of their rematch would be the same, a destuction. In 2005 Margarito stopped Cintron in five cutting him over his right eye and knocking him down three times winning by Tko round five. This time it would be the same Cintron was again cut over his right eye and “Tony” systematically broke Cintron down. Cintron a solid puncher could never hurt the stone chinned Mexican. Margarito kept Cintron at close range pressing him attacking from all angles. Cintron landed many clean right hands but “tony” was in a zone. Margarito pressed Cintron until in the sixth round he backed Cintron to the ropes landing a chopping right hand and ripped a vicious left to the body underneath Cintrons high guard dropping him to stay with referee Earl Brown counting him out at 1:57 of the round. Margarito approached Bob Arum on the apron of the ring at the end of the bout calling for Cotto I,m sure.
Super bantamweight Jesus Rojas 11-0, 9 Ko’s remained undefeated stopping of Andres Ledesma 14-9-1, 9 Ko’s at 2:14 round four of their scheduled eight rounder.
Upcoming middleweight prospect Ronny Vargas 5-0, 4 Ko’s scored a TKO victory over Roberto Irrizarry 2-4. 0 Ko’s when Irrizarry's corner threw in the towel at 2:51of round three.
Middleweight Richard Pierson 7-1, 4 Ko’s won a six round unanimous decision 59-56, 59-56, 59-55 over Angel “Yamil” David Gonzalez 6-5-1, 3 Ko’s.
Featherweight Luis Cruz 5-0, 3 Ko’s won a unanimous decision over Olvin Meija 3-2-1, 3 Ko’s 58-56 times three in their scheduled six rounder.
Super middleweight Don Mouton 3-2-1, 3 Ko’s fought to a draw with Omar Coffi 0-0-1 making his pro debut. The fight was scored 38-38, 39-37 Mouton, 40-36 for Coffi.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thinking Tyson \ Douglas, Does Gomez Stand a Chance?
By: David Colon The odds were something like 42-1 when Buster Douglas pulled off what some sports writers call the greatest sports upset of all time. No one saw it coming. Is it possible it could happen again here? Could Alphonso Gomez 18-3-2, 8 Ko’s of Contender fame upset Miguel Cotto 31-0, 25 Ko’s. No chance! First, the current odds range from 4-1 to 9-1 nothing like that betters day back on February 11th 1990. Second, Cotto only compares to Tyson when you compare punching power pound for pound. Besides that there are no other common denominators, except they will both be wearing gloves. Cotto is a dedicated, 100% focused fighter with an extensive amateur career. Cotto has and will fight all comers, his fights aren’t hand picked. Cotto is coming in off fights with “Sugar” Shane Mosley, “Super” Zab Judah, Oktay Urkal, Ricardo Torres, Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Carlos Quintanna all top ten ranked when he met them. This is evident when you realize Cotto fought Lovemore N’Dou back in 2002 and Paulie Malignaggi is fighting him now for the second time in a year.
Tyson’s resume holds some suspect names losing three of his last four. “Iron” Mike stopped a marginal Clifford Etienne, lost to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride and of course was stopped by Lennox Lewis. Cotto most of all is solid based. He is surrounded by long time dedicated boxing people being managed by his father Miguel Cotto Sr; promoted by Top Rank’s Bob Arum and trained by his uncle Evangelista Cotto. Tyson had gone through several trainers since the passing of Cus D’Amato. He had a new corner crew for the fight and Don King was his promoter. Douglas came in as a warm up for a possible Holyfield fight bringing a 29-4-1, 18 Ko’s record with 12” reach and 5” height advantage. Gomez comes in slightly bigger with a 2” height and reach advantage, nothing like what Douglas had. Douglas had a heavyweight’s punch where Gomez doesn’t have the power to match with Cotto. Gomez always comes prepare and highly motivated but nothing could match the motivation of Douglas wanting to do it for his recently deceased mother. Cotto takes his fights one at a time and although he is scheduled to meet Ricardo Mayorga in July his people will not allow him to look past the game Gomez. Gomez is a likeable fighter who will come to fight and with all things considered even a long count won’t help Gomez. Cotto will remain undefeated until he meets Mosley again or Mayweather finally gives in.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Top Rank and HBO Bring a Double Header of Welterweight Championship Boxing to the Boardwalk at Atlantic City!
April 12th, The Boardwalk at Atlantic City: Miguel Cotto 31-0, 25 Ko’s will defend his WBA welterweight title against “contender” Alfonso Gomez 18-3-2, 8 Ko’s. Cotto may be using this fight to stay busy or as a tune for his July19th fight with Ricardo Mayorga, 29-6-1, 23 Ko’s. Cotto is a world class fighter with an extensive amateur background. Cotto has taken on world class competition in his last five bouts a unanimous destruction of Paul Malignaggi, a five round breakdown of Carlos Quintana, Tko stoppages of Oktay Urkal and Zab Judah and his last bout a unanimous decision over “Sugar” Shane Mosley and never takes anyone lightly.
Gomez claim to fame is his appearance on “The Contender”. Hecomes in off 7th round Tko’s of Martin Concepcion and the aging Arturo Gatti and a unanimous decision over the worn warrior Ben Tackie. Gomez will come in shape and eager to fight but can he stand up to the devastating pressure and body attack Cotto will certainly bring.This bout has what fight fans love two combatants willing to lay it on the line.
The undercard will feature Antonio “Tony” Margarito 35-5, 25 Ko’s in a rematch with Kermit “Killer”Cintron 29-1, 27 Ko’s his only loss a fifth round stoppage by Margarito where he had a nasty cut over his right eye and hit the deck four times. The bout will be seen live on HBO Saturday, April 12 (10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT).
