GIVE COTTO THE RESPECT HE DESERVES

By Paul Daley

Unless you have been living on the moon for the last couple of weeks, you will already know that we have a new WBO Welterweight champion in the form of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao who was able to move up in weight, whilst putting on his most impressive display yet to dethrone former champion Miguel Cotto and hand him the second loss of his career after being stopped in the twelfth round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Only a few days had passed since the fight before many fight fans from around the world started posting their views on the fight via forum’s and blogs, with the majority voicing their opinion that Miguel Cotto should walk away from the sport. When I read the various postings from around the web I was taken aback by the lack of respect shown to this great fighter who fought with the heart of a warrior the night of the 14th November 2009.

Although he did fight so valiantly that night, because of his losses to both Pacquiao and Margarito and the severity of those losses, has stirred the conversation with fight fans throughout the world, who have decided to start the Cotto retirement party early,

I as you may have guessed am not in agreement with these statements. I am of the opinion that if you are brave and courageous enough to step through the ropes and fight to the best of your ability then that should not ask for respect but demand it.

The reason why many want to see Miguel walk away from boxing is because of his two blemishes on a otherwise brilliant record. Those losses were of course to Margarito and Pacquiao where he was not only stopped in each of the bouts but incurred a lot of pain throughout. I agree that will have taken something away from Miguel and there is a truth about him not being the same fighter that defeated the likes of Sugar Shane Mosely, Zab Judah and Paulie Malignaggi but I believe it’s more about the man’s confidence than his skill.

MIGUEL’S PLACE IN THE WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

Let’s face reality and look at the welterweight division as a whole, Apart from Pacquiao and possibly Mayweather Jnr, what fighter within the division could beat Cotto?

I`m going to pre-empt most people here and think that Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosely will be the names coming to people’s minds, right? and you would be entiled to think so.

Both these fighters are amongst the division’s best but what Antonio Margarito was found guilty of doing (using loaded gloves) put a black mark on boxing and is a fighter who deserves in my opinion a harsher penalty for doing so.

Before his match up with "Sugar" Shane Mosely, Antonio was found to have an harderned subtance in his hand wraps which was later tested and found to be some kind of plaster of paris, because of this he was suspended from boxing for a year but we are still unsure whether those same hand wrapping tactics were used against Miguel, which would explain the beating he got on the night of July 14th 2008.

Antonio is unquestionably a brilliant pressure puncher, and was able to do just that on the night he fought Miguel, Cotto boxed and moved brilliantly over the first half of the fight but was made to backpeddle throughout the later rounds which witnessed Margarito finally catching up with him and stopping him in round eleven. Miguel gave his opinion on the outcome saying that he just didn’t have the strength in his legs to continue but a point to make is the fact, that at the time of the stoppage Miguel was winning the fight on all the judges’ scorecards.

I doubt a rematch will ever come to fruition but if it did, I believe Miguel would be ready to again outbox Margarito this time lasting another round to see out a unanimous decision.

The other fight on the list would possibly be Sugar Shane Mosely. Since beating Margarito in January 2009, Shane is the fighter who is now in title contention with possibly a matchup with either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather on the cards.

Cotto has already beaten Shane in 2007. a fight which was very evenly contested, Cotto was able to gauge Shane’s power and speed, landing his own jab while scoring with crushing body shots. This is a fight that I would love to see made but I have no doubt in my mind that the outcome would be the same, maybe dare I say it more one sided in favour of the Puerto Rican.

WHAT IS NEEDED FOR MIGUEL TO RETURN TO THE TOP?

In my opinion there are two things that will need to be rectified on Miguel’s arrival to the ring. He will need a few, let’s say, less dangerous fights to gain some momentum and confidence and I believe he will need to change his inexperienced trainer Jorge Santiago.

The reason for me saying this, is down to the fact that in my opinion Jorge was unable to lay out an effective fight plan to deal with Manny.

The plan going in would have been for Miguel to use his impressive body shots and use conservative pressure but as soon as Jorge knew the shots were having no effect I don’t believe after seeing footage of him in the corner he was able to effectively think on his feet and was ultimately left clueless.

The other problem I had with Miguel’s camp was the lack of talent in the sparring ranks, for example when you look at Manny Pacquiao’s camp they had the likes of Jose Luis Castillo, the young and talented Shawn Porter and the hardened Urbano Antillon, whereas Miguel’s main sparring partner was the unheard of Fred Tukes who’s style resembled nothing like Pacquiao’s. In fact he fought more like Bobby Pacquiao than Manny.

Now I’m no trainer in the making but have been around the sport long enough to know Sparring is a fundamental exercise for any fighter especially coming into a massive fight like this. I believe Miguel’s camp took their eye of the prize here.

The moment a fighter like Francisco Figueroa was dismissed from Miguel’s camp it was imperative that someone was brought it straight away, someone with similar hand speed to Manny’s so that Cotto could gauge the speed, which was what ultimately led to his downfall come fight night.

Sorry Jorge, I have no doubt that you will be a great trainer in years to come and there is no doubt you have made a brilliant addition to team Cotto, working alongside Evangelista. But you would do better going back to that position and learning from someone with a little more experience.

The candidates who I would love to see in Miguel’s corner in future bouts would be either the return of his uncle Evangelista (which I doubt will happen anytime soon) or possibly Emmanuel Stewart who is known to be a great admirer of Miguel.

Both these men I feel would be more suited to take Miguel’s career forward and return his status to be one of the best fighters not only within the division but throughout boxing.

CONCLUSION

Remember when a fighter is down on his knee's and has given his all, it is our job as fight fans to show some respect. Dont kick him while he is down because it takes a lot of heart and determination to make it in this ruthless sport, where only the brave survive.

REMEMBERING A WARRIOR

By Paul Daley

The word Warrior was created for people like Arturo Gatti. People who know no limits, who are willing to go that bit further risking everything in the process in the hope of success.

The boxing world this weekend lost one of its most exciting fighters not only of our era but one of all time.

Arturo was murdered on Saturday night at his Brazilian hotel room in Porto de Galinhas, where he was found with a head injury aged just 37. At the time of writing the only known suspect is Gatti’s wife Amanda Rodrigues with friends claiming the two were planning to divorce.

The news of Arturo’s death has came as a massive shock to me like many other boxing fans and upon waking up on Sunday morning I was left rubbing my eyes in disbelief as I read the scrolls of reports from the Internet. Through the years Arturo was known for his never say die attitude and his courage which fight fans loved and made him a massive favourite among them.

The first time I saw Arturo Gatti fight was way back in 1991 where he fought and knocked out Richard De Jesus at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey . At the time I recall thinking to myself “this kid as got something extra about him” and my statement has been cemented many times throughout the years.

I thought that it would be fitting to remember this unique fighter and explain my thinking behind some of Arturo’s biggest fights.

23rd March 1996 – Wilson Rodriguez when he defended his IBF title at the MSG Theatre in New York

This is the first time we got to witnessed the heart and courage of Gatti. The fight itself only lasted six rounds but what an amazing six rounds it was. The fight went back and forth with both men hitting the canvas throughout. Both fighters neglected to use much defence in the bout rather opting to sling it out in a battle of wills. The fight finally came to a climax in round six where after landing many borderline body blows Gatti knocked out Rodriguez with a left hook to the head. The shot was thrown with so much velocity it took more than a minute for Rodriguez to get off the canvas and reach his corner. This was the day Gatti the warrior was born and boy did he give the fight fans in attendance their monies worth.

4th October 1997 – Gabriel Ruelas when he defended his IBF Super Featherweight title at Caesar's Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey

This fight was named as the “fight of the year for 1997” and was the first of many for Arturo. The fight started littered with illegal shot after illegal shot from Ruelas who was warned for low blows in rounds one and three. These rounds although fascinating to watch was just the warm up for the war that was about to erupt as in round four Gatti staggered Ruelas with a massive overhand right early but then amazingly Ruelas came back in brilliant fashion to hurt Gatti with a tremendous left uppercut that to this day I don’t know how Gatti stayed upright. Round five continued at a high tempo pace with both men opting to stand and trade which ultimately was to the downfall of Ruelas as Gatti managed to drop him with a left hook at 2:03. Ruelas showed great heart to make it to his feet but referee Benji Esteves chose to call an end to the bout deciding that Ruelas was in no condition to continue. At the end of the bout I remember seeing the effects of this absolute war plastered all over both fighters’ faces and thinking now this is what boxing is all about.

22nd August 1998 – Ivan Robinson at the Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey

The ring magazine named this bout its winner of “Fight of the Year for 1998”which of course gave Arturo his second award of this type. Both men came into this fight ready to brawl and neither let the fight fans down as the fight was an absolute brilliant spectacle. The fight was fought at an electric pace with both men getting hurt throughout. Robinson was in fact down for an eight count in round four and had to survive some anxious times to record a split decision victory. Robinson and Gatti put on a great show but Ivan wasn’t the only winner in the convention Hall that night as the fight fans got to witness an absolute gem of a fight which was only to be expected of any fight involving Gatti.

23rd November 2002 – Mickey Ward at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut

Serious fight fans knew of Gatti from his wars I have already mentioned but this fight with Irish Mickey Ward took both fighters popularity to a different level. The fight itself was nonstop action from round one to twelve, neither man giving an inch. Gatti was the betting favourite going into the fight but everyone knew that Ward was far from an easy fight and Gatti was made fully aware of this on Fight night. The only knockdown in the bout came when Ward connected with a body shot that left Gatti kneeling in agony. He managed to get to his feet and finish the bout with many ringsiders not wanting the action to end, spending the majority of the fight on their feet. When the judges’ scorecards were read out I for the first time in a boxing bout remember not really being interested and was happy knowing that I had just witnessed one of the best fights of my era. This fight also won Gatti another “fight of the year” from the ring magazine which incredible was his third of his career.

7th June 2003 – Mickey Ward at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey

This wasn’t the rematch but the third encounter between the two men. Gatti won the rematch via unanimous decision using more of his boxing skills rather than the back to the wall tactics he had adopted over the years, Buddy McGirt had honed Arturo's skills and managed to get through to Gatti telling his fighter not to stand and trade but to jab and move. Many thought this same tactic would be used in the third meeting between the men but how wrong could we have been? As soon as the bell went to get the bout underway Gatti resorted to the one of old and decided to give the fight fans another incredible war. Like in the first fight Gatti was again on the canvas in the sixth round and the only real difference between the first and third fight was the outcome as Arturo took the scores on each of the judges’ scorecards to take home a unanimous decision and a 2-1 lead in the series with Ward. This too was a “fight of the year” winner which gave Gatti his fourth and the nickname “The Human Highlight reel” for his great contests throughout the years and the heart to go through hell.

The fights I have mentioned above are some of the greatest fights I have ever witnessed and show the mark of this incredible fighter. This section as brought a smile to my face thinking back to these great times with a thought that Gatti will never be forgotten.

We remember this incredible warrior and hope that there are many others of the same to take this magnificent sport forward. Without these types of fighters what are we left with?

R.I.P. ARTURO “THUNDER” GATTI – 1972 - 2009

ORTIZ A QUITTER - I DONT THINK SO!!!

By Paul Daley

So called boxing experts and promoters alike have been quick to jump at the chance to call Victor Ortiz a quitter and questioned his courage after losing to Marco Maidana on Saturday via six round TKO.

I for one am not one of those people and although I am biased I would like to take this opportunity to defend a fighter who I still think will grow into a great champion in years to come.

Not taking anything away from Maidana this isnt what this article is about and the fact still remains on Saturday 27th June 2009 at the Staples centre, Marcos Maidana came to fight and left the better fighter. ON THE NIGHT.

I have followed Ortiz throughout his professional career since his debut back in June 2004 where he destroyed Raul Montes in one round. Since that time he had only lost once via disqualification before Saturday and in all the time leading up to this fight not once had It even entered my head that Ortiz was a quitter.

NOW CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING SECTION::

Ortíz was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas, as the second of three children of Mexican immigrant parents. At the age of seven, Ortíz's mother abandoned his family for a relationship with another man. Shortly thereafter, Ortíz began boxing at the Garden City Boxing Club at the insistence of his father, an alcoholic who often beat his children following his wife's departure.

When Ortíz was thirteen years old, his father also abandoned the family, and Ortíz and his two siblings were turned over to the Kansas foster care system. However, he continued to box and won a Kansas Golden Gloves championship. After a brief foray into drug dealing as a teenager, Ortíz quit the drug trade when he realized that it could sabotage his boxing aspirations.

After Ortíz's older sister became a legal adult and moved to Denver, Colorado, Ortíz and his younger brother moved in with her. While training at a Salvation Army boxing center, he was noticed by former heavyweight boxing contender Ron Lyle, who had become a supervisor at the center. In 2003, Lyle guided Ortíz to a Junior Olympics tournament, where, at the age of sixteen, he won the 132-pound weight division with a perfect 5-0 record. This time, he was noticed by another former boxer, Roberto Garcia, who had held the IBF super featherweight title during the 1990s and whose father was the trainer of Fernando Vargas.

Though Garcia was based in Oxnard, California, he offered to train Ortiz, who accepted and moved from Colorado to California, where he began training at Oxnard's famous La Colonia Gym. Garcia later became Ortíz's legal guardian, and Ortíz graduated from Pacifica High School. At age seventeen, Ortíz reached the United States Olympic boxing trials in the 132-pound weight class, where he was eliminated in the final stages. (The weight class was instead won by Vicente Escobedo.)

Ortíz turned professional later in 2004 while still only seventeen years of age. When he reached the age of eighteen in 2005 and became a legal adult, he gained custody of his younger brother, who is now a college student. Ortíz continues to reside in Oxnard, California

STILL BELIEVE HE IS A QUITTER?

Now you get an inside view on what this young fighter has had to overcome, First came the loss of his Mother which he had to endure at the young age of seven, then came the beating he was given on a daily basis at the hands of his Father and as if that wasnt enough just six years since his Mother departed his life his father followed her and done the same. Now this would have crushed a lot of strong people but not Victor, because not only did he help raise and put his Brother through college but he has also managed to keep himself out of major trouble and choose the path many believe the hardest which has led him to become one of the best talents in boxing, This was echoed by ESPN in 2008 who named Ortiz their best prospect.

After reading my section above the question still remains. Do you still believe this kid is a quitter or maybe it could be to do with a rare moment of weakness on Ortiz part and the fact he was headlining his first massive card on short notice (due to John v Juarez cancellation) with the occasion and the fans getting inside his head.

Dont get me wrong, I don't think it is right that he got out at that stage and firmly believe he would have taken home the win but every fighter has their moment of weakness and we should let Victor progress before labelling him a quitter. Remember one of the best had a moment of weakness too when the great Roberto Duran declared NO MAS in his fight with Sugar Ray Leonard.

“Everything has been taken away from me, even my parents,” Ortiz stated after Saturday's fight “I’ve tasted dirt, I’ve come from nothing but I will keep trying and I will be back.”