Editing Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito

{{short description|Boxing competition}}
{{Infobox boxing match
| Fight Name   = The Battle
| image        = [[File:Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito, "The Battle" (HBO fight poster).jpg|230px]]
| caption      = 
| fight date   = July 26, 2008
| location     = [[MGM Grand Garden Arena]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.
| titles       = [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] welterweight title
| fighter1     = [[Miguel Cotto]]
| nickname1    = "Junito"
| hometown1    = [[Caguas, Puerto Rico|Caguas]], Puerto Rico
| purse1       = 
| record1      = 32–0 (26 KO)
| age1         = {{age in years and months |October 29, 1980 |July 26, 2008}}
| height1      = 5 ft 8 in
| weight1      = 147 lb
| style1       = Orthodox
| recognition1 = [[World Boxing Association|WBA]]<br />Welterweight Champion<br>''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]''<br>No. 1 Ranked Welterweight<br>[[The Ring (magazine)|''The Ring'']] No. 6 ranked [[Pound for pound|pound-for-pound]] fighter<br>2-division world champion
| fighter2     = [[Antonio Margarito]]
| nickname2    = "The Tijuana Tornado"
| hometown2    = [[Tijuana]], Mexico
| purse2       = 
| record2      = 36–5 (26 KO)
| age2         = {{age in years and months |March 18, 1978 |July 26, 2008}}
| height2      = 5 ft 11 in
| weight2      = 147 lb
| style2       = Orthodox
| recognition2 = ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]''<br>No. 4 Ranked Welterweight<br>2-time former welterweight champion
| result       = Margarito wins by [[technical knockout]] in round 11
}}
'''[[Miguel Cotto]] vs. [[Antonio Margarito]]''', billed as "'''The Battle'''", was a [[professional boxing]] match between [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] [[welterweight]] champion [[Miguel Cotto]] and former [[IBF]] and [[WBO]] welterweight champion [[Antonio Margarito]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Miguel Angel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito (1st meeting) |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Miguel_Angel_Cotto_vs._Antonio_Margarito_(1st_meeting) |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref> The WBA welterweight title bout took place on July 26, 2008, at the [[MGM Grand Garden Arena|MGM Grand]] in [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]], [[Nevada]], and resulted in an eleventh round [[technical knockout]] victory for Margarito. Margarito was later suspected of cheating in this bout after controversy arose over his use of hand wraps after his bout with Shane Mosley.

Both men had previously fought on April 12 and emerged victorious, thus clearing the way for a July 26 match between the two boxers. It was Cotto's first fight in Las Vegas since December 2004. According to promoter [[Bob Arum]], the bout took place in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] to promote Cotto to a new audience while also appealing to Margarito's [[Mexican American]] fans in California. Cotto entered the fight as ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' magazine's #1 ranked boxer in the welterweight division and #6 in their [[pound-for-pound]] rankings. Margarito entered the match as ''The Ring'' magazine's #4 ranked welterweight. Press conferences were held in [[Mexico]], [[Los Angeles]], New York City, and [[Puerto Rico]] to promote the world title bout.

Cotto and Margarito's aggressive boxing styles led to much praise from multiple boxing writers. Kevin Iole of [[Yahoo! Sports]] named it the third-best boxing match of 2008 and the fight generated 450,000&nbsp;pay-per-view buys, the third-highest in 2008 for a boxing match.

==Background==
===Miguel Cotto===
[[File:Miguel Cotto.png|right|thumb|Miguel Cotto (right) against Oktay Urkal on March 3, 2007]]
After making six successful defenses of the [[World Boxing Organization]] (WBO) [[light welterweight]] title, Cotto moved up in weight class to the [[welterweight]] division and defeated [[Carlos Quintana (boxer)|Carlos Quintana]] on December 2, 2006 to win the [[World Boxing Association]] (WBA) welterweight title.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news
  | title =Cotto claims welterweight crown
  | publisher =[[BBC Sport]]
  | date =2006-12-03
  | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/6203342.stm
  | access-date =2008-08-03 }}</ref> Cotto's first title defense came against [[mandatory challenger]] [[Oktay Urkal]] in a bout that took place on March 3, 2007, at the [[Roberto Clemente Coliseum]] in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]. A mandatory challenger is a boxer who is chosen by a boxing organization to fight for their title.<ref>{{cite press release
 |title      = Howard Eastman mandatory challenger to Bernard Hopkins
 |publisher  = [[World Boxing Council]]
 |url        = http://www.wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/portal/cfpages/contentmgr.cfm?docId=1168&docTipo=1&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC
 |access-date = 2009-03-04
}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> If the champion decides not to defend the title against the mandatory challenger, the boxing organization strips him of his title.<ref>{{cite web
 |last        = Aguilar
 |first       = Matthew
 |title       = Antonio Tarver Loses to Glen Johnson
 |publisher   = The Sweet Science
 |date        = 2004-12-18
 |url         = http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/1469/antonio-tarver-loses-glen-johnson/
 |access-date  = 2009-03-04
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081006154840/http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/1469/antonio-tarver-loses-glen-johnson/
 |archive-date = 2008-10-06
}}</ref> In attendance for the bout was former undisputed welterweight champion [[Zab Judah]], who was expected to be Cotto's next opponent as long as Cotto defeated Urkal and Judah won his fight in April.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Cotto says he's focused on Urkal; he better be
  | publisher =[[ESPN.com]]
  | date =2007-03-02
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=2784728
  | access-date =2008-08-07 }}</ref> Cotto displayed a dominant performance against Urkal, eventually to the point where Urkal's corner retired in the eleventh round.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Johnson
  | first =Chuck
  | title =Cotto keeps welterweight crown before home fans
  | newspaper =[[USA Today]]
  | date =2007-03-05
  | url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2007-03-04-cotton-urkal_N.htm
  | access-date =2008-08-10 }}</ref> On April 13, 2007, Judah's match with [[journeyman]] boxer Ruben Galvan ended in a [[No contest (boxing)|no contest]] after a severe cut opened up around Galvan's [[hairline]], which was ruled to have been caused by Judah's elbow.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Eberline
  | first =Richard
  | title =Boxing Result: Zab Judah - Ruben Galvan
  | publisher =SaddoBoxing.com
  | date =2007-04-14
  | url =http://www.saddoboxing.com/5074-zab-judah-ruben-galvan.html
  | access-date =2008-08-12 }}</ref> Despite the no contest, the bout between Cotto and Judah went ahead as planned, taking place at [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]] on June 9, 2007. In front of a sellout crowd of 20,658, Cotto defeated Judah by technical knockout in the eleventh round.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Cotto keeps crown on 11th-round knockout of Judah
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2007-06-12
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2899424
  | access-date =2008-08-13 }}</ref>

In his next fight, Cotto fought former three-division champion [[Shane Mosley]] on November 10, 2007. Mosley had originally set his sights on fighting [[World Boxing Council]] (WBC) welterweight champion [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]], but Mayweather was in negotiations to fight [[Ricky Hatton]],<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Top Rank, Golden Boy truce creates an exciting lineup
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2007-07-27
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=2950184
  | access-date =2008-08-23 }}</ref> and on July 28, 2007, Mayweather and Hatton officially agreed to the fight.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Mayweather ditches retirement, agrees to fight Hatton Dec. 8
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2007-07-28
  | url =https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=2952696&type=story
  | access-date =2008-08-23 }}</ref> With the two fights scheduled to take place a month apart from each other, the media speculated that the winners of the two fights would likely fight each other next.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Cotto to defend welterweight title vs. Mosley in New York
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2007-08-15
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2975880
  | access-date =2008-09-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |last=Cassidy 
 |first=Robert 
 |title=It's enticing, but Mosley won't look too far ahead 
 |newspaper=[[Newsday]] 
 |date=2007-11-06 
 |url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/custom/boxing/ny-spboxing1106,0,1924953.column 
 |access-date=2008-09-04 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207150627/http://www.newsday.com/sports/custom/boxing/ny-spboxing1106%2C0%2C1924953.column 
 |archive-date=February 7, 2008 
 |url-status=dead 
}}</ref> Cotto was successful in his third title defense, defeating Mosley by [[unanimous decision]] at Madison Square Garden in New York City,<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Eligon
  | first =John
  | title =Cotto Fends Off Mosley and Protects His Title
  | newspaper =[[The New York Times]]
  | date =2007-11-11
  | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/sports/othersports/11boxing.html
  | access-date =2008-09-06 }}</ref> while one month later, Mayweather defeated Hatton by tenth round technical knockout at the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas|MGM Grand]] in [[Paradise, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Kieran
  | first =Mulvaney
  | title =Mayweather defeats Hatton by TKO
  | work =Reuters
  | date =2007-12-09
  | url =https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0734602520071209?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
  | access-date =2008-09-06 }}</ref> Following his victory, Mayweather announced that he would take a two-year layoff from boxing to focus on his promotional company.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rozenberg
  | first =Sammy
  | title =Mayweather Shocks, Knocks Hatton Out in Ten
  | publisher =BoxingScene.com
  | date =2007-12-09
  | url =http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=11600
  | access-date =2008-09-06 }}</ref> However, one month later, Mayweather began negotiations for a rematch with [[Oscar De La Hoya]].<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Benz
  | first =Johnny
  | title =Team Oscar De La Hoya confirms a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr for the Month of May is in the Works
  | publisher =Doghouse Boxing
  | date =2008-01-12
  | url =http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Benz/BenzN0112a08.htm
  | access-date =2008-09-07 }}</ref> With several top welterweight fighters unavailable, Cotto agreed to fight [[Alfonso Gomez]], a fighter most notable for appearing on the first season of ''[[The Contender (television series)|The Contender]]''.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Donovan
  | first =Jake
  | title =Cut Miguel Cotto Some Slack on Alfonso Gomez
  | publisher =BoxingScene.com
  | date =2008-01-13
  | url =http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=12061
  | access-date =2008-09-07 }}</ref> The match took place on April 12, 2008, at [[Boardwalk Hall]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], and resulted in a victory for Cotto after the ring doctor stopped the fight after round five.<ref name="FN">{{cite news
  | last =Katkin
  | first =Brian
  | title =Cotto's TKO sets stage for clash with Margarito
  | newspaper =USA Today
  | date =2008-04-13
  | url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2008-04-13-cotto-tko_N.htm
  | access-date =2009-02-23 }}</ref>

===Antonio Margarito===
[[File:Antonio Margarito.jpg|thumb|Antonio Margarito]]
On July 21, 2001, Margarito's bout with WBO welterweight champion [[Daniel Santos (boxer)|Daniel Santos]] ended in a no contest after the fighters' heads collided in the first round and a deep cut was opened over the corner of Margarito's right eyebrow.<ref>{{cite news
  | title =Simon and Santos retain crowns
  | publisher =BBC Sport
  | date =2001-07-22
  | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/1451016.stm
  | access-date =2008-09-12 }}</ref> He would get another opportunity to win the WBO title on March 16, 2002 against Antonio Diaz. Margarito defeated Diaz by tenth round technical knockout to win the title, which had been vacated by Santos.<ref>{{cite news
  | title =Antonio Margarito venció a Toño Díaz
  | newspaper =[[La Jornada]]
  | language =Spanish
  | date =2002-03-16
  | url =http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2002/03/17/051n2dep.php?printver=1
  | access-date =2008-09-16 }}</ref> Seven months later, he made his first successful defense of the WBO title with a unanimous decision victory over Danny Perez.<ref>{{cite news
  | title =Sports briefs
  | newspaper =[[St. Petersburg Times]]
  | date =2002-10-14
  | url =http://www.sptimes.com/2002/10/14/Sports/Sports_briefs.shtml
  | access-date =2008-09-16 }}</ref> His second title defense came against former WBA welterweight champion [[Andrew Lewis (boxer)|Andrew Lewis]] at the [[Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino]] in Las Vegas on February 8, 2003. Margarito won the fight by second round technical knockout after a significant amount of punches from Margarito led to a stoppage from the referee.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Katz
  | first =Michael
  | title =Mosley Can Only Muster No Contest
  | newspaper =The New York Times
  | date =2003-02-09
  | url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07EEDD103BF93AA35751C0A9659C8B63
  | access-date =2008-09-16 }}</ref> On January 31, 2004, at the [[Dodge Theatre]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]],  Margarito defeated [[Hercules Kyvelos]] by second round technical knockout in his third title defense. After the fight, he discussed his interest in a major fight with Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, or [[Fernando Vargas]].<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Champs Margarito, Marquez overpower foes
  | newspaper =USA Today
  | date =2004-02-01
  | url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2004-01-31-margarito-marquez_x.htm
  | access-date =2008-09-16 }}</ref>

In his next fight, Margarito moved up in weight class for a rematch with Daniel Santos, who possessed the WBO [[junior welterweight]] title. The fight took place on September 11, 2004 and ended in a [[technical decision]] victory for Santos after Margarito was cut over the right eye by an unintentional [[headbutt]] in round six. After round nine it was ruled Margarito could not continue, so the fight was decided on the scorecards and Santos led 86&ndash;85, 87&ndash;84 on two cards while Margarito was ahead 86&ndash;85 on the third scorecard.<ref>{{cite news
  | title =Cotto claims WBO crown
  | publisher =BBC Sport
  | date =2004-09-12
  | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/3648960.stm
  | access-date =2008-09-21 }}</ref> After the loss, Margarito moved back down in weight to defend his WBO welterweight title against Sebastian Lujan on February 18, 2005. He won the fight by technical knockout in the tenth round and set up a fight against [[Kermit Cintron]], who was in attendance for Margarito's fight with Lujan.<ref>{{cite news
  | agency =Associated Press
  | title =Fight stopped by ringside doctor
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2005-02-22
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=1994868
  | access-date =2008-09-25 }}</ref> On April 23, 2005, Margarito defeated the less experienced Cintron, knocking him down four times en route to a technical knockout victory in the fifth round at [[Caesar's Palace]] in Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Cintron stopped in fifth round
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2005-04-27
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2044847
  | access-date =2008-09-25 }}</ref> Margarito's next fight took place on February 18, 2006, when he defeated Manuel Gomez by technical knockout in just 74&nbsp;seconds in Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite news
  | title =Margarito power ends Gomez bid
  | publisher =BBC Sport
  | date =2006-02-19
  | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/boxing/4728978.stm
  | access-date =2008-09-25 }}</ref>

After Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Zab Judah on April 8, 2006, he rejected an $8&nbsp;million offer from promoter [[Bob Arum]] to fight Margarito on August 12, 2006, citing a hand injury as the reason he did not take the bout.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Mayweather turns down $8 million to fight Margarito
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2006-04-25
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2420382
  | access-date =2008-09-25 }}</ref> On December 2, 2006, Margarito successfully defended the WBO welterweight title for the seventh time with a unanimous decision victory over [[Joshua Clottey]].<ref name="BBC"/> On July 14, 2007, Margarito fought [[Paul Williams (boxer)|Paul Williams]] in his eighth title defense at the [[Home Depot Center]] in [[Carson, California]]. With a victory, Margarito would set himself up for a welterweight title unification match against Miguel Cotto in the autumn,<ref>{{cite news
 |last        = Willis
 |first       = George
 |title       = Cotto-Judah Slugfest a Bloody Masterpiece
 |newspaper   = [[New York Post]]
 |date        = 2007-06-11
 |url         = http://www.nypost.com/seven/06112007/sports/cotto_judah_slugfest_a_bloody_masterpiece_sports_george_willis.htm
 |access-date  = 2008-09-30
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080924212940/http://www.nypost.com/seven/06112007/sports/cotto_judah_slugfest_a_bloody_masterpiece_sports_george_willis.htm
 |archive-date = 2008-09-24
}}</ref> but Margarito lost to Williams by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Smith
  | first =Tim
  | title =The Punisher takes decision from Margarito
  | newspaper =[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]
  | date =2007-06-15
  | url =http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2007/07/15/2007-07-15_the_punisher_takes_decision_from_margari.html
  | access-date =2008-09-30 }}</ref> Four months later, Margarito knocked out [[Golden Johnson]] in the first round at Madison Square Garden in New York City.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Vester
  | first =Mark
  | title =Antonio Margarito Destroys Johnson in One
  | publisher =BoxingScene.com
  | date =2007-11-10
  | url =http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=11136
  | access-date =2008-09-30 }}</ref> On April 12, 2008, Margarito had a rematch with Kermit Cintron, who held the IBF welterweight title. The match took place on the undercard of Cotto's fight with Alfonso Gomez and Margarito knocked out Cintron in the sixth round to win the title.<ref name="FN"/>

===Pre-fight information===
[[File:LasVegas-MGMgrand.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The MGM Grand, site of "The Battle"]]
Both fighters' victories on April 12 cleared the way for a July 26 showdown between Cotto and Margarito.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Cotto, Margarito win to set up July 26 showdown
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2008-04-13
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=3344439
  | access-date =2008-10-03 }}</ref> The WBA welterweight title fight took place at the MGM Grand Las Vegas,<ref name="DB"/> marking the first time Cotto headlined a Las Vegas card. It was Cotto's first fight in Las Vegas since December 11, 2004, on the undercard of [[Vitali Klitschko]]'s bout with [[Danny Williams (boxer)|Danny Williams]]. According to Bob Arum, the match took place in Las Vegas to promote Cotto to a new audience while also appealing to Margarito's [[Mexican American]] fans in California.<ref name="IHT"/> The Las Vegas notion gained momentum in the previous month when the [[Nevada Athletic Commission]] amended its provisional rules on glove size, allowing welterweights to wear 8&nbsp;ounce (227&nbsp;g) gloves instead of the previously mandated 10&nbsp;ounce (284&nbsp;g) gloves. Nearly every other boxing jurisdiction in the United States allows welterweights to fight with 8&nbsp;ounce gloves, and both Cotto and Margarito likely would have refused to fight in Las Vegas without their usual glove size.<ref name="IHT">{{cite news
  | agency=Associated Press
  | title =Cotto-Margarito welterweight unification fight to be held in Las Vegas
  | newspaper =[[International Herald Tribune]]
  | date =2008-05-13
  | url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/13/sports/NA-SPT-BOX-Cotto-Margarito.php
  | access-date =2008-10-03 }}</ref> Margarito had to vacate the IBF welterweight title after the IBF mandated him to defend the title against [[Joshua Clottey]].<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Judah to face Clottey in August for welterweight title
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2008-05-23
  | url =https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3410020&type=story
  | access-date =2008-10-03 }}</ref> Press conferences were held in [[Mexico]], [[Los Angeles]], New York City, and [[Puerto Rico]] to promote the world title bout.<ref>{{cite news
  | title =De aquí al gimnasio
  | newspaper =[[Primera Hora (Guaynabo)|Primera Hora]]
  | language =Spanish
  | date =2008-05-24
  | url =http://archivo.primerahora.com/archivo.asp?guid=c356354c-91b3-4541-af7f-144633c09cf2&year=2008&mon=5&keyword=de%20aqui%20al%20gimnasio
  | access-date =8 September 2011}}</ref>

Cotto entered the fight as ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' magazine's #1 ranked boxer in the welterweight division and #6 in their [[pound-for-pound]] rankings. Margarito entered the match as The Ring magazine's #4 ranked welterweight.<ref name="f4"/> The official judges for the bout were Dave Moretti, Jerry Roth, and Glen Hamada, and the referee was Kenny Bayless.<ref name="DB">{{cite web
  | last =Gonzalez Jr
  | first =Frank
  | title =Sharkie’s Machine: Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito Preview
  | publisher =Doghouse Boxing
  | date =2008-07-21
  | url =http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Frank/SharkieMM0721a08.htm
  | access-date =2008-10-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | last =Smith
  | first =Tim
  | title =It's time for Margarito to cash in
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2008-07-27
  | url =https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3507108&type=story
  | access-date =2008-10-11 }}</ref> Serving as the ring announcer for the fight was [[Michael Buffer]].<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Willis
  | first =George
  | title =Joy in Margaritoville!
  | newspaper =New York Post
  | date =2008-07-27
  | url =http://www.nypost.com/seven/07272008/sports/boxing/joy_in_margaritoville__121742.htm
  | access-date =2008-10-11 }}</ref> Promoted by Arum's [[Top Rank Boxing]] promotional company, the match aired on [[Home Box Office]] (HBO) [[Pay-Per-View]].<ref name="LVS"/> Cotto entered the fight as a two-to-one betting favorite, and the official attendance for the event was 10,477.<ref name="f4">{{cite web
  | last =Warneck
  | first =Jereme
  | title =HBO recap of Cotto vs. Margarito part 1
  | publisher =Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online
  | url =http://www.f4wonline.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=6253
  | access-date =2008-10-17 }}</ref> Both Margarito and Cotto weighed in at the welterweight limit of {{convert|147|lb|kg}}.<ref name="LVS">{{cite news
  | last =Haney
  | first =Jeff
  | title =Take Five: Cotto vs. Margarito, ‘The Battle’
  | newspaper =[[Las Vegas Sun]]
  | date =2008-07-26
  | url =http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jul/26/take-five-cotto-vs-margarito-battle/
  | access-date =2008-10-11 }}</ref>

===Opinions===
Cotto and Margarito's aggressive boxing styles led to much speculation of a potential fight of the year candidate. Junior welterweight titleholder [[Paulie Malignaggi]] said that the fight would be "pure entertainment", and HBO commentator [[Jim Lampley]] said that "I'm asking for one of my top 10&nbsp;fights in my 22&nbsp;years of calling fights on television".<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Raskin
  | first =Eric
  | title =If you watch only one fight all year…
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2008-07-21
  | url =https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3493965&type=story
  | access-date =2008-10-27 }}</ref> Dave Larzelere of ''[[Sporting News]]'' wrote that the bout had "the potential to be one of those epic Irresistible Force vs. Immoveable Object kind of battles that we talk about forever afterwards, à la [[The War (boxing)|Hagler/Hearns]] or [[Diego Corrales|Corrales]]/[[Jose Luis Castillo|Castillo]]".<ref>{{cite magazine
  | last =Larzelere
  | first =Dave
  | title =Cotto-Margarito: Mutually Assured Destruction
  | magazine =[[Sporting News]]
  | date =2008-04-14
  | url =http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/7959/cotto-margarito_mutually_assured_destruction_/
  | access-date =2008-10-27 }}</ref> Jeff Haney of the ''[[Las Vegas Sun]]'' described the fight as "not only the sport’s most promising matchup of the year. It also conjures memories of past fights in which regional or national pride was at stake", noting the [[Puerto Rican-Mexican boxing rivalry|rivalry]] between Mexico and Puerto Rico.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Haney
  | first =Jeff
  | title =Margarito-Cotto fight promises passion, action
  | newspaper =Las Vegas Sun
  | date =2008-04-14
  | url =http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jul/21/margarito-cotto-fight-promises-passion-action/
  | access-date =2008-10-27 }}</ref> The ''[[Arizona Republic]]'' wrote, "Cotto, an impassive and intimidating Puerto Rican, and Margarito, a patient and tough Mexican, are another chapter in a rivalry rich in legends and still productive".<ref>{{cite news
  | title =Cotto, Margarito stoke flames of rivalry
  | newspaper =[[Arizona Republic]]
  | date =2008-07-21
  | url =http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2008/07/21/20080721boxinginsider0721.html
  | access-date =2008-10-29 }}</ref> [[Yahoo! Sports]] writer Kevin Iole felt that the boxing match would provide a performance similar to that of the fight between Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales, which was named [[Ring Magazine fights of the year|fight of the year]] by ''The Ring'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Iole
  | first =Kevin
  | title =Cotto-Margarito a fight worth making
  | work =[[Yahoo! Sports]]
  | date =2008-04-13
  | url =https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-cottomarg041208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
  | access-date =2008-10-29 }}</ref>

==The fight==
Margarito, traditionally a sluggish starter,<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Sugar
  | first =Bert
  |author2=S. Small
  | title =Bert Sugar's Pre-Fight Analysis
  | publisher =[[HBO]]
  | url =http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2008/2008_0726_cotto_margarito/columns/bertsugar_cottovs.marg.html
  | access-date =2008-11-09 }}</ref> anticipated to emerge swift, but it was Cotto who got off to a more effective start by throwing numerous punches and applying plenty of movement.<ref name="AMKOMC">{{cite web
  | last =Vester
  | first =Mark
  | title =Antonio Margarito Knocks Out Miguel Cotto in a Classic
  | publisher =BoxingScene.com
  | date =2008-07-27
  | url =http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=15130
  | access-date =2008-11-03 }}</ref> Cotto picked up where he left off in the second round, approaching directly at Margarito though easily getting by harm's way once Margarito sought to counterpunch. That, nevertheless, changed approximately a minute into the round, as Margarito landed a right hand that momentarily had Cotto by the ropes. Margarito directed his assault to Cotto's body, but Cotto landed various left [[Hook (boxing)|hooks]]. Blood started descending from Cotto's nose, but did not discourage him from closing the round by landing a punch upon Margarito. Mobility represented the key for Cotto in the third round, efficaciously blending boxing and brawling while trying to minimize the blood flow from his nose and a small cut over his left eye. Margarito continued targeting the body, but drew two distinguish warnings for [[Groin attack|low blows]] in the span of less than a minute. Margarito closed the gap sufficiency in the fourth round by landing a right [[uppercut]] and attacking Cotto's body to slow him down. In the fifth round, Cotto provided plenty of lateral movement which frustrated Margarito. Cotto persisted on the move and would land a flurry of punches prior to directly escaping harm's way. Margarito landed a straight right hand that had Cotto temporarily unsteady with ten seconds to go, but Cotto eluded all of the ensuing punches until the final bell.<ref name="MBOWGBR">{{cite web
  | last =Donovan
  | first =Jake
  | title =Margarito Breaks Cotto's Will, Gains Boxing's Respect
  | publisher =BoxingScene.com
  | date =2008-07-27
  | url =http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=15131
  | access-date =2008-11-11 }}</ref>

While Margarito did not land a lot of punches, he remained the more engaged fighter in the sixth round. A left hook to the body had Cotto on the defensive early in the seventh round, but he was able to fend off additional difficulty. A right hand from Cotto slowed Margarito, but he returned with punches that forced Cotto to [[Clinch hold|clinch]]. Margarito commanded the bulk of the round, throwing 130&nbsp;punches in the round according to [[Compubox]]. Cotto was advocated by his corner in between rounds to stay off the ropes. He obliged, providing lateral movement throughout the round but with approximately 30&nbsp;seconds left, Margarito was able to trap Cotto in a corner, but Cotto managed to escape. It was more of the same in the ninth round, with Cotto going back and forth between [[Southpaw (boxing)|southpaw]] and [[Orthodox (stance)|conventional stance]]. Margarito continued charging ahead, although Cotto would counterpunch sufficiency to avoid Margarito. The same pattern applied as in the previous two rounds, with Margarito charging forward and Cotto using movement while anticipating chances to counterpunch. Margarito immediately concluded the gap in the final 15&nbsp;seconds, landing a left hook, left uppercut and right hand that had Cotto against the ropes.<ref name="MBOWGBR"/> Halfway through the eleventh round, a left uppercut by Margarito left Cotto vulnerable as he took a knee after Margarito landed a right uppercut and two right hands.<ref name="HBO">{{cite web
  | last =Borges
  | first =Ron
  | title =Margarito KO's Cotto in 11th
  | publisher =HBO
  | date =2008-07-26
  | url =http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2008/2008_0726_cotto_margarito/news/instant_update.html
  | access-date =2008-11-12 }}</ref> Cotto managed to get up, but he went down again,<ref name="HBO"/> despite Margarito not landing another punch. The referee moved in to count, but Evangelista Cotto, Cotto's trainer and uncle, climbed onto the ring apron and threw in the towel. The official time of the stoppage was 2:05&nbsp;of round eleven.<ref name="MBOWGBR"/>

==Aftermath==
Dan Rafael of [[ESPN.com]] described the fight as a "riveting slugfest with a dramatic ending that left the throbbing crowd of 10,477 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in ecstasy". The referee for the bout Kenny Bayless called it "the best fight I've ever done".<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Margarito and Cotto give boxing fans one to remember
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2008-07-27
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=3506804
  | access-date =2008-11-10 }}</ref> Fightnews.com writers Andreas Hale and Victor Perea called it "an instant classic that gave boxing fans all over the world all they could handle...and then some".<ref>{{cite web
 |last        = Hale
 |first       = Andreas
 |author2     = V. Perea
 |title       = 'The Battle' a classic war! Margarito usurps Cotto for welterweight crown!
 |publisher   = Fightnews.com
 |date        = 2008-07-27
 |url         = http://www.newmexicoboxing.com/fights2008/07-margarito-cotto.htm
 |access-date  = 2008-11-10
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090207173813/http://newmexicoboxing.com/fights2008/07-margarito-cotto.htm
 |archive-date = 2009-02-07
}}</ref> Dave Larzelere of ''Sporting News'' wrote that it "was unquestionably the fight of the year".<ref>{{cite magazine
  | last =Larzelere
  | first =Dave
  | title =Margarito Stops Cotto!
  | magazine =Sporting News
  | date =2008-07-27
  | url =http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/8934/margarito_stops_cotto!
  | access-date =2008-11-10 }}</ref> Compubox wrote, "Margarito-Cotto was billed as 'The Battle' and it certainly lived up to the name as they proved why they are among the best boxing has to offer".<ref>{{cite web
  | author =Compubox
  | title =CompuBox Post-Analysis: Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito
  | publisher =BoxingScene.com
  | date =2008-07-28
  | url =http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=15155
  | access-date =2008-11-10 }}</ref> BoxingScene.com writer Jake Donovan wrote that "It was brutal, and lived up to everyone's exceedingly high expectations".<ref name="MBOWGBR"/> Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports named it the third best boxing match of 2008.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Iole
  | first =Kevin
  | title =Elite eight bouts
  | work =Yahoo! Sports
  | date =2008-12-22
  | url =https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AhD5VFYVXOq7NAPZRJzIQ8aUxLYF?slug=ki-topfights122208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
  | access-date =2008-12-26 }}</ref> The fight generated 450,000&nbsp;pay-per-view buys, the third highest in 2008 for a boxing match.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Falgoust
  | first =Michael
  | title =De La Hoya-Pacquiao bout a box-office heavyweight
  | newspaper =USA Today
  | date =2008-12-11
  | url =https://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2008-12-10-pacquiao-de-la-hoya_N.htm
  | access-date =2008-12-11 }}</ref>

Following the victory, Margarito became ''The Ring'' magazine's #1 ranked boxer in the welterweight division, and he replaced Cotto in their rankings as the #6 ranked boxer in the world, pound-for-pound. For Cotto, ''The Ring'' magazine dropped him to #3 in their welterweight rankings and #10 in their pound-for-pound rankings. With the loss, Cotto's fight with Oscar De La Hoya, which would have guaranteed Cotto $25 million, was off.<ref name="f4"/> De La Hoya instead opted to fight ''The Ring'' magazine's #1 ranked pound-for-pound boxer [[Manny Pacquiao]] on December 6, 2008, at the  MGM Grand Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Pacquiao to move up two weight classes to fight De La Hoya
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2008-08-28
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3558298
  | access-date =2008-11-14 }}</ref> Margarito made his first title defense against Shane Mosley on January 24, 2009, losing to him by technical knockout in the ninth round.<ref>{{cite news
  | title =Mosley shocks Margarito, wins belt with TKO
  | work =Yahoo! Sports
  | date =2009-01-25
  | url =https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=txmargaritomosley&prov=st&type=lgns
  | access-date =2009-01-28 }}</ref> The [[California State Athletic Commission]] revoked the licenses of Margarito and his trainer Javier Capetillo for a year on February 10, 2009, after it was discovered before the fight that a [[plaster]]-like substance on illegal pads was found inside Margarito's hand wraps.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Rafael
  | first =Dan
  | title =Margarito, trainer banned in U.S.
  | publisher =ESPN.com
  | date =2009-02-10
  | url =https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3897765
  | access-date =2009-02-21 }}</ref> On February 21, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Cotto claimed the vacant WBO welterweight title by defeating [[Michael Jennings (boxer)|Michael Jennings]] by fifth round technical knockout.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Iole
  | first =Kevin
  | title =Cotto drops Jennings, claims WBO title
  | work =Yahoo! Sports
  | date =2009-02-21
  | url =https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AkrE.0h2fFGLhv1phdIu1oCUxLYF?slug=ki-cottowins022109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
  | access-date =2009-02-21
  | archive-date =2012-07-18
  | archive-url =https://archive.today/20120718042326/http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AkrE.0h2fFGLhv1phdIu1oCUxLYF?slug=ki-cottowins022109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
  | url-status =dead
  }}</ref> In his second title defense, Cotto defeated former IBF welterweight champion [[Joshua Clottey]] by split decision at Madison Square Garden on June 13, 2009.<ref>{{cite web
 |last        = Gutierrez
 |first       = Patrick
 |title       = Cotto beats Clottey by split decision
 |publisher   = [[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]]
 |date        = 2009-06-14
 |url         = http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/9678558
 |access-date  = 2009-07-03
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090714020809/http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/9678558
 |archive-date = 2009-07-14
}}</ref>

[[Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito II|The pair had a rematch]], which Cotto won by tenth round technical knockout.

==Undercard==
Confirmed bouts:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/548629|title=BoxRec - event|publisher=}}</ref>

==Broadcasting==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | Country
! align=center | Broadcaster
|-
| {{flag|Ireland}} & {{flag|United Kingdom}} || [[Setanta Sports]]
|-
| {{flag|United States}} || [[HBO]]
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=033535&cat=boxer Professional boxing record for Miguel Cotto] from [[Boxrec]]
* [http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=011677&cat=boxer Professional boxing record for Antonio Margarito] from Boxrec
* [http://www.boxingscene.com/media/showgallery.php?cat=3406 Cotto-Margarito photo gallery]
* [http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=miguel-cotto-antonio-margarito-compubox Compubox Stats]
* [http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=15094 Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito: The Pre-War Report Card] by Cliff Rold, July 25, 2008, BoxingScene.com

{{good article}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. [[Alfonso Gómez]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[Miguel Cotto]]'s bouts |years=26 July 2008}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. [[Michael Jennings (boxer)|Michael Jennings]]}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. [[Kermit Cintrón]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[Antonio Margarito]]'s bouts |years=26 July 2008}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. [[Shane Mosley]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Miguel Cotto}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cotto, Margarito}}

[[Category:2008 in boxing]]
[[Category:2008 in sports in Nevada]]
[[Category:July 2008 sports events in the United States]]
[[Category:Boxing matches at MGM Grand Garden Arena]]
[[Category:Boxing matches involving Miguel Cotto|Margarito]]
[[Category:Boxing matches refereed by Kenny Bayless]]
[[Category:Boxing on HBO]]
[[Category:Welterweight championship matches]]