Cotto vs Margarito II a sellout

 

WBA super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto(l) and former three-time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito face off at a public press conference in L.A. to promote their December 3 title fight. Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

AS expected, the highly anticipated rematch between WBA super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto 36-2 (29) and former three-time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito 38-7 (27) has sold out. The pair put on a modern-day boxing classic when they first met back in July of 2008, when the “Tijuana Tornado” scored an impressive come from behind tko in the 11th round. The first fight took place at the famed MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but the rematch will be held in the Mecca of Boxing–Madison Square Garden. The Garden has played host to six of Cotto’s past battles and is admittedly like a second home to the Puerto Rican star, where he is undefeated, with three knockouts.
 
Just like his 2007 fight with Zab Judah, The Garden is completely sold out with the last ticket being purchased early today. 17,943 tickets sold with a gate in excess of $3 million is big business as usual with Cotto in New York, as he has filled more seats at MSG than any other fighter in the sport. A sentiment echoed by promoter Bob Arum, “New York is Cotto country,” after receiving the news.
 
All the ducks are in a row for a fight that was in danger of never coming off with the New York State Athletic Commission requiring Margarito’s surgically repaired eye be examined. He suffered a broken right orbital bone in his most recent ring encounter– a brutal beating over 12 rounds at the hands of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao 54-3-2 (38) in November of 2010 at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington Texas. The last installment of 24/7 showed Margarito traveling to New York to visit doctors (one chosen by Top Rank, and another by NYSAC) to have his eye examined. Bot docs concluded that Margarito is fit to fight despite undergoing surgery to repair the broken orbital bone, as well as an artificial lens replacement.
 
With many boxing fans (along with Miguel Cotto) under the impression tat Margarito used illegal hand wraps in their first bout, this fight is a real grudge match. Both pugilists have a true dislike for each other and are anxious to get in the ring, as are boxing fans across the world. One can only hope that we get another war come Saturday night.
 
Cotto vs Margarito II will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9pm ET. The fight is promoted by Top Rank Promotions, in association with Cotto Promotions, Tornado Promotions, Tecate, AT&T, and Madison Square Garden.

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