Cotto vs. Margarito 2: Pre-Fight Drama Between Rivals Couldn't Be Any Better

If you're looking for drama, look no further than Cotto vs. Margarito II.

Ever since Antonio Margarito was caught with illegal hand wraps against Shane Mosley in 2009, Miguel Cotto has been fuming.

Cotto, after all, lost to Margarito in 2008 via TKO in the 11th round, and all of Margarito's fights were called into question after Mosley's trainer, Naazim Richardson, uncovered his dirty little secret.

Cotto hadn't directly accused Margarito of anything up until this fight, but he's making it known that he considers Margarito a cheater now.

In fact, Cotto went so far as to call Margarito a "criminal" and "an embarrassment to boxing" in Wednesday's pre-fight press conference.

Said Cotto, via The NY Daily News:

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“You know why I call you a criminal? Because a criminal uses a weapon to try to harm someone."

"

The "weapon" Cotto is referring to, of course, was the substance Richardson found in Margarito's hand wraps that day. It was a substance that was later deemed similar to "plaster of Paris," which solidifies with enough moisture and basically becomes like you're swinging a brick.

The discovery ended up costing Margarito and his trainer Javier Capetillo. They were banned from boxing for one year.

On top of the war currently going on between Cotto and Margarito, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has even found himself in the scrum. Arum's relationship with Cotto took a turn for the worse when Cotto started accusing Margarito of using illegal hand wraps.

Said Arum:

"

“At this stage of my life when I think an injustice has occurred I’m going to speak out and represent my fighter. What California did to Antonio Margarito was a gross injustice.’’

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Adding to the thrill of the drama is that The Battle between Cotto and Margarito was a classic in 2008. It showed tremendous resiliency, heart and chin to withstand what the two boxers did.

This fight should be a very good fight, as well.

There hasn't been a boxing match that has been this intriguing outside the ring in a long time.

For once, I find myself wishing the drama could go on just a few days more before the fight.