Cotto/Judah More Exciting Than Cotto/Margarito?
By Michael Woods February 16th, 2007Judah replaces Margarito as Cotto’s June 9 Garden opponent
Bob Arum wanted to match Miguel Cotto with Antonio Margarito for a big summer fight, but Margarito went down another road, tentatively accepting a fight with enticing contender Paul Williams.
Instead, Cotto will instead defend his crown against Zab Judah in June, provided they each win their forthcoming matches, reports Dan Rafael of ESPN.
Cotto fights on March 3 in his native Puerto Rico on HBO against mandatory challenger Oktay Urkal of Germany, while Judah (34-4, 25 KOs) had been scheduled to meet Pito Cardona on April 27. That plan was scotched, though, as the date is too close to the big-deal duel…
If Cotto and Judah each are victorious, Rafael says, they will scrap on June 9 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The added zing of Judah and his “colorful” history may well do more to make the promotion more interesting, and lucrative, than a Margarito match would have been…
Cotto/Judah will take place the day before the Puerto Rican Day parade, so Cotto backers will be out in mass numbers.
February 16th, 2007 at 9:51 am
this is definitely a fight to see hoping Judah does not go over the edge and losses focus like he has done in previous fights….im sure by now he realises that time is not on his side and neither is he making enough money anywhere close to other fighters in his league…a Cotto win will definitely put him back on track for big paydays….ball is on your court Judah…
February 16th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I’m not a fan of Judah…it’s hard to be a fan of his considering his in and out of the ring antics. It was funny…last week on FNF he was asked if he felt he deserved his reputation and he was totally in denial. Him giving a low blow to Baldomire when they were supposed to touch gloves prior to starting their fight pretty much sums up Judah as a person. After one year off I hope Judah makes the best of this situation.
Cotto vs Margarito…Puerto Rican vs. Mexican…it doesn’t get any better than that! I worry more about Cotto getting by Judah. If he catches Judah he’ll probably knock him out. Styles make fights and Margarito/Cotto would be a much better fight. Margarito wouldn’t run and would throw 100+ punches a round.
No matter…we now get two great fights Cotto vs. Judah and Margarito vs. Williams!!
February 16th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Nice to see Margarito isn’t being a hypocrite and facing not only a dangerous opponent, but his mandatory.
As for Judah, no offence to him, but he is clearly on the slide. Might be time to call it a day, Zab.
Oh, and just in my opinion, Williams V Margarito will be agreat fight and it could go either way;
Williams by late rounds TKO
Or Margarito by Mid-rounds TKO.
Of course, I could be wrong.
February 17th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Judah has bad karma all around him. The guy still has not grown up yet. Personally I think he’s a punk and the ass whoopin he took from the Aussie/Russian a few years back said it all. Cedric The Entertainer clowned Zab in his last HBO comic performance. Zab’s speed should take him over the top with Cotto. Although I think Zab will be a fool as usual and not stick to his fight plan. Which is why he will lose - Cotto by 6 round TKO
William by 9 round TKO over Margarito for a WIlliams / Cotto showdown. I’ll take Williams in that fight TKO over Cotto.
February 17th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Cotto will Knock Zab Judah out…..And Margarito will get pointed to death by Pickem a part Paul Will he knockem out Williams…..Follow up fellowz….
February 17th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Paulie, I agree with you 100% about Margarito. He did the right thing in taking a fight with Williams after talking about being avoided for years. Besides, it does have the makings of a great fight.
About Cotto and Judah….It’s unfortunate that Arum needed a name guy in NY because Judah deserves another title shot about as much as Mike Tyson. Judah is coming off TWO LOSSES AND A SUSPENSION and he automatically gets a title shot!?!?!?!?!?!? I hope Judah can handle his beatdown like a man, because Cotto’s going to punish him. I don’t want to see Judah throwing ring stools, choking refs, firing intentional lowblows before or during the fight, and causing mini-riots and punching cornermen.
February 17th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Judah has no chance in beating Cotto. Judah is a fighter on the way down. Cotto is on the way up. As for Margarito vs. Williams. I’ll take Williams by stoppage. Margarito is a strong fighter but way too slow for a straight in puncher like Paul Williams.
February 18th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Both of these fights will be great fights, Judah should not be challenging for a title yet, i agree 100% with Guy. As for Margarito - Williams, I’m a Margarito fan so ill have to say Margarito by decision. BUT, ive seen Paul Williams fight live on the undercard of Gonzalez - Montiel at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA and he is a dangerous, great fighter who can take a punch, Margarito has got a big task ahead of him.
April 1st, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Cotto is going to Knock Super Zab Judah Out. Zab is fast and strong . But he cound’t handle Baldomir what makes any of you think he will handle Cottos power. Cotto can also box very well with power. I dont see to many people beating Miguel Cotto at Welter Weight . Paul Williams Vs Margarito should be a great fight . Hopefully Cotto and Margarito both win so we can get a mega fight between the winners .
June 2nd, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I’m disappointed that Margarito vs Cotto will not happen soon. Both of these guys are true warriors that do there talking “in” the ring. Both luck to them on their fights against Williams and Judah, although I don’t think either of them needs much luck (they are serious about their craft). I know I speak 4 a lot of boxing fans when I say I hope Judah gets knocked the Fu@k out!
June 4th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Zab beats Cotto early, if he couldn’t handle Corley’s power he won’t last long against Judah. The winner should fight Williams Margarito winner(Williams by beatdown).