15.04.08 – by James Slater: The welterweight fight fans are all desperate to see is being worked on as we speak – and I’m not talking about any fight involving Floyd Mayweather Junior. Miguel Cotto Vs. Antonio Margarito, just about the most potentially thrilling and explosive fight that can be made at 147 pounds right now, is being pencilled in for July 26th, according to Arum.
“The target date is July 26th,” Said Arum. “I hope to conclude the negotiations for the fight soon. Nothing is sealed and nothing is signed [yet],” the promoter added.
There should, however, be no problem. Both warriors want the fight, both are promoted by Arum and the bout would likely be one of the greatest fights of this, or any other year. Quite simply, it HAS to happen. You can rest assured Bob Arum will do all in his power to make sure this potential mega fight is made. The only stumbling block to be seen at the minute, is one regarding IBF number one contender, Joshua Clottey. Margarito, who violently snatched the IBF strap from Kermit Cintron on Saturday must now accommodate the deserving Clottey. Arum doesn’t necessarily see too much of a problem on this score though.
Arum, reportedly, thinks Antonio will likely give up the IBF title in order to secure a huge, once-in-a-lifetime fight with Cotto – therefore number one mandatory Clottey would then fight someone for the vacated belt. Sounds fair.
As fight fans the world over are still excitedly talking about the great performance the teak-tough Mexican put on on Saturday, the excitement level will surely only go up now that a Cotto-Margarito face-off looks at least a step nearer to happening. Not only does this fight look almost a dead-cert to be explosive and extremely fan-friendly, it is also by no means a clear and easy fight to pick. Sure, Cotto will likely be installed the favourite, and rightly so, but you wouldn’t put your house on the Puerto Rican legend definitely beating as hard a man as Tony, would you?
With Margarito being a man who is strong, determined and seemingly impervious to punches – no matter how hard – one can never, ever write him off. And even though the mighty Cotto looks set to become a truly great champion, he will have to give one helluva performance – perhaps one of the career-best variety – to see off the challenge of Margarito.
They can’t sign this one up fast enough. No doubt mouths are watering already!