Cotto punishes Gomez – Margarito crushes Cintron!

Posted on | April 13, 2008 | No Comments

No Surprises at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.

By Mike Indri

Retired Boxers Foundation

April 12, 2008

Atlantic City, NJ – With the Boardwalk Hall filled, and HBO broadcasting to millions at home, Miguel Cotto tore into Alfonso Gomez and in the same ring where the “Contender” fighter enjoyed his greatest win (TKO 7 vs. Arturo Gatti, 7/14/07), punished the likable and big willed fighter, sending Gomez to his most demoralizing defeat.

While the bout actually lasted until the ring doctor advised referee Randy Neuman not to let the one-sided debacle continue after round five, the fight was realistically over in the first round; when the first few exchanges proved this twelve round title match was simply a mismatch.

Barely escaping in round one, a collection of Cotto body shots towards the end of round two sent a devastated Gomez to the canvas for his first of three knockdowns. More nasty body shots by Cotto dropped Gomez again in the third and a vicious debilitating barrage sent the overwhelmed fighter to the deck late in round five. Badly bruised and totally finished, a demoralized and defeated Gomez managed to slowly amble back to his stool where he dropped, and rightfully was not allowed to get back up from.

At times Cotto seemed to be toying with Gomez, dropping his hands and pounding on the lesser fighter, all to the delight of the largely partisan Puerto Rican crowd. When it was all over Cotto had out landed Gomez 188 to 63 in total punches, and a staggering 125 to 46 in power shots (according to Compu-Box)…basically every shot from Cotto is a power shot!

Gomez – a contender, with a heart of a champion, slips to 18-4-2 (8 KO’s), while Miguel Cotto improved to 32-0; the dominating stoppage being the 26th victory by way of knockout for the humble and classy hero of Puerto Rico.

In the co-feature bout Kermit Cintron was defending his International Boxing Federation welterweight world championship title, but even more importantly he was defending his legitimacy and honor against former champion Antonio Margarito.

Back in 2005 Cintron, then the hot 24-0 undefeated prospect was rushed into challenging the dangerous Mexican fighter, who was defending his World Boxing Organization belt. Cintron was not ready for the big step and paid dearly with a torturous beating which resulted in his first loss – a crushing fifth round TKO drubing, which hurt just as much, if not more, mentally as it did physically.

Tonight Cintron was a much better fighter then he was on that never-to-be forgotten April night in Las Vegas (04/23/2005), but he still was not ready for Antonio Margarito.

While appearing ferocious as he entered the ring and surprisingly calm once the bell rang, it was soon apparent that Cintron still had no answer for Margarito’s power and resilience.

Nothing but credit though can be given to Cintron as he went toe-to-toe, and gave as much as he got for as long as this savage battle was to last.

After a good first round Cintron had his head snapped back by several Margarito uppercuts in round two and the message was sent. While tagging Margarito often, he never did hurt the California resident while Cintron was obviously affected by the pop in Margarito’s punches.

While both fighter’s only defense is there offense, and this approach provided for an action packed dream of a fight, it was not a good move for the soon to be ex-champion.

As Margarito, bleeding over his left eye since a round two headbutt, landed an average of 34 power shots a round, and out-totaled Cintron 207-89 in the bomb department (according to Compu-Box), Cintron must be applauded as he went out as a true champion.

Totally beaten by the end of round five, Cintron hurting and desperate came out in round six and proudly fought to defend his title. Absorbing much punishment, a big Margarito right to the head followed by a Micky Ward-like left hook to the body sent a crippled Cintron to the canvas where he would not be able to get up and was counted out by referee Earl Brown at 1:56 of round six.

Cintron, now 29-2 (27 KO’s) and always a champion, suffers only his second professional loss (both at the hands of Margarito), while the A level Margarito (36-5 with 26 KO’s) becomes a two-time world champion and seems to be headed to a mega fight against Miguel Cotto this July.

On the Top Rank Boxing promoted undercard:

Paterson native Richard Pierson and Puerto Rican Angel David Gonzalez opened the show with a six round middleweight slugfest. Using his superior reach, Pierson pounded Gonzalez early and looked impressive using both hands and stinging his foe with several bristling uppercuts. The resilient Gonzalez reached down and took advantage of Pierson’s bad habit of dropping his hands, catching the talented Pierson too often and making for an extremely exciting fight.

Pierson, best known as the main sparring partner for middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, has the skills and is a real prospect.
Judges Luis Rivera and Joe Pasquale had it for Pierson 59-56, while Judge John Stewart somehow scored it 59-55 for Gonzalez.
While the split decision victory Pierson improves to 7-1 (4 KO’s), while the gutsy Gonzalez slips to 6-5-1, 3 KO’s).

Slick featherweight Luis Cruz withstood some early power from Olvin Mejia and effectively broke down the knockout-minded Mexican fighter, who missed much more than he hit after the first three minutes. Cruz, boxing much more relaxed and seasoned than a young fighter in his fifth pro bout, hurt his stronger opponent in round three and out-boxed Mejia over the six rounds, earning the smartly fought unanimous decision, as all three judges scored it 58-56 for the still undefeated (5-0, 3 KO’s) Las Piedras, P.R. resident. Mejia fell to 3-2-1 (3 KO’s).

Highly touted middleweight Ronny Vargas, fighting out of the Bronx, looked good for the short while his scheduled six round bout lasted. Displaying a crisp jab and solid right hand the former amateur standout beat up on his overmatched opponent, fellow New Yorker Roberto Irrizarry, before the corner threw in the towel at the 2:51 mark of the third round. The technical knockout win pushed the Venezuelan to 5-0 (4 KO’s), while the light hitting Irrizarry is now 2-4.

In a four round super middleweight bout Omar Coffi, making his pro debut, survived with a draw against Houston, Texan Don Mouton, who appeared to be the busier and more effective fighter.

Judge John Stewart scored it 40-36 for Mouton, now 3-2-1 (3 KO’s), while Joe Pasquale had it 39-37 for Coffi, who now calls New Hampshire home, and Luis Rivera saw it even, 38-38.

Star-in-the-making Jesus Rojas continued his destructive ascent in the super bantamweight division as the prospect with dynamite in his gloves crushed the game Andres Ledesma, forcing referee David Fields to save the nearly unconscious Colombian at the 2:14 mark of round four. Finding his mark late in the second round, the mighty Rojas hurt the Cartagena native often and took command of the scheduled eight round contest.

Driving his banged up opponent onto the ropes midway through round four, Rojas unleashed a brutal barrage that forced the damaged Ledesma, now 14-9-1 (9 KO’s), to crumble to the canvas. As a true fighter, Ledesma rose to his feet and continued; only to be met by more punishment from the heavy, as well as fast-handed Caguas, P.R. native, until referee Fields wisely halted the action.

The good-looking bona-fide prospect remains undefeated, 11-0 with 9 knockouts

Recently retired NJ boxing legend Arturo Gatti on hand for the championship boxing only added to an already spectacular night.
Local boxing fans have a lot to cheer about as Omar Sheika gets back in action vs. Elvir Muriqi May 5th, on a Mike Arnaoutis headlined Atlantic City fight card and middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik puts his WBA and WBO titles on the line against Gary Lockett June 6th right back here at the Boardwalk Hall.

Mike Indri can be contacted at RBFNJMIKE@aol.com