They came, they saw, they insulted. The flames were fanned to inferno heat by three-division world champion and the Pride of Puerto Rico MIGUEL COTTO and professional rival and three-time welterweight world champion ANTONIO "The Tijuana Tornado" MARGARITO, of México, at today's final press conference at Madison Square Garden for their upcoming rematch.
Cotto will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title in this high-tension showdown against Margarito, Saturday, December 3, at "The Mecca of Boxing," Madison Square Garden. With approximately 200 tickets remaining, Cotto-Margarito II is projected to sellout in advance of fight night. Cotto has sold more tickets to The Garden in this millennium than any other fighter.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Cotto Promotions, Tornado Promotions, AT&T, Tecate and Madison Square Garden, Cotto-Margarito II will be produced and distributed Live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
The previous encounter between Cotto and Margarito took place on July 26, 2008 and was a battle of epic proportion and arguably the Fight of the Year. Cotto and Margarito boast a combined record of 74-9 (56 KOs) a winning percentage of 89% and a victory by knockout ratio of 76% -- not to mention seven world titles between them.
ANTONIO MARGARITO
Here comes the criminal! Open the doors to the criminal! I've been called a criminal by the man next to me [Cotto]. I don't know why? I don't beat up my family. He can hit my eye as much as he wants. He hits like a little girl. Super flyweights hit harder. He will never beat me.
I know Cotto thinks he has a big advantage having the fight here [New York]. That's his security blanket.
This was one of my best preparations for a fight. I'm in great condition. This camp was different from the one I had before our last fight. The high altitude conditioning has made me stronger.
When he feels my first punch he's going to be in real problems. I know Cotto's style and his style is perfect for me. He stands in front of me. I am a pressure-style fighter. That's what I do best and that's what I'm going to do on Saturday.
MIGUEL COTTO
If you don't know what a criminal means, you can look it up in the dictionary. It's someone who uses a weapon.
"We spoke about the wraps on Face Off [on HBO.] I showed you a picture of them.
You [Margarito] are like a child. You are an embarrassment to boxing.
I am going to slap you like a little girl.
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Remaining tickets to Cotto-Margarito II, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200, $100, and $50, can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden box office, online at www.thegarden.com and all Ticketmaster outlets, which charges an additional fee.
HBO will present the back-to-back replay of both episodes of 24/7 COTTO/MARGARITO on Friday, Dec. 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, the half-hour special "24/7 Overtime: Cotto/Margarito" will be seen at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
For Cotto-Margarito II fight week updates, log on to www.toprank.com and www.hbo.com