“The thing with Margarito was 2008 the chapter that was closed in that book,” commented Cotto about the first fight in July 2008. That is a night that saw Cotto with a battered face, dethroned of the WBA welterweight title in the 11^th round. The result was talk about Cotto being done, that he no longer had it. Cotto would rebound later, and Margarito, after winning the title from Shane Mosely, would eventually see his boxing license suspended for using tainted hand wraps under his gloves.

So a lot transpired since their first encounter. Both fighters went to war with Manny Pacquiao and  Cotto, quietly had been seeking this rematch for revenge. He leaves business to the promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank and in the last year made it known that Margarito is what he wanted, and at Madison Square Garden his favorite venue where he is undefeated in six fights.

Though Cotto does admit he did have flaws in that first fight and will make no excuses or accusations that Margarito had tainted hand wraps then. But for the first time he showed writers a picture on his cell phone that was given to him earlier this year. It indicated a tear in the wrapped hands of Margarito. There was evidence of a tear with the tape and gauze. Again this was pure speculation by Cotto and he will not make accusations. However, the facts later on make one to believe that Margarito had an unfair advantage, even if Cotto that night was not at his best.

Margarito remains silent about the hand wrap controversy except when he is asked. “I never used any illegal bandages. I can’t change the opinions of everyone. I always fought clean. He claims to have paid his dues and the subject is a thing of the past.  He is also promoted by Arum and never went against his Mexican fighter when it came to the hand wrap issue. A win this time would put everything in perspective. He takes care of business in New York and Antonio Margarito indeed has the number of Miguel Cotto. Though the early line favorite is Cotto gets a commanding win and vengeance for what happened a few years ago in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Arena.

“I accept my defeat like a man,” says Cotto about that uneventful evening in Las Vegas. “It’s the first time I show the pictures to anybody,” referring to the Margarito wraps. “I over trained and won’t make the same mistakes again. I will be watching the first fight again soon to see what I did wrong.” He did not have the veteran Emanuel Steward in his corner then and he will once again have him for the third time in his corner at the Garden.

Steward was able to correct some flaws when he worked with Cotto the first time in June of 2010 at Yankee Stadium, a Cotto 9^th round TKO and defense of the WBA title over Yuri Foreman.

“He is sharp and will be ready at 154,” said Steward when reached for comment because was preparing Andy Lee for his rematch with Brian Vera. “Nothing will go wrong. We will watch the wraps and the gloves. Miguel has picked it up and learned what went wrong the first time.”

And with vengeance obviously on his mind, though Cotto will never show a vindictive trait, Margarito could see the same approach that was used in March. Ricardo Mayorga, saw enough punishment before being stopped by TKO in the 12^th round in the WBA super world light middleweight title fight. Cotto was aggressive and finally put Mayorga on the mat in that final round. It was vintage Cotto, punching with authority, and throwing combinations that propelled him to be a three division world champion.

“I’m going to give it all my body and soul to make this a great match,” said Cotto, (36-2-28 KO’s) one of those in the loss column coming to Pacquiao. He reiterated, ”It’s going to be the same as last time but the ending will be different.” Meaning of course, the punishment this time will show on the face of Margarito who is fully recovered from an injured eye socket that occurred when he lost to Pacquiao last November.

Cotto insisted also that the fight be at 153.  Margarito says that is unfair and that Cotto should be at 154. “If he is a real champion he should fight at 154,” says Margaritio. And Cotto would later respond that the weight was not an issue. His win over Margarito will tell the story that the first loss was because Margarito was with the advantage, once again briefly making reference to the hand wrap controversy.

“Boxing is a sport when you use your skills,” said Cotto. “He played with my health and that’s not fair.”  The wraps for both fighters will be placed in a suitcase prior to the fight and inspected by the New York Commission at the weigh-in. So there could be an end to the issue about Antonio Margarito and hand wraps that have tarnished his career.

Arum stated the Garden has a record advance gate for the fight with an undercard that also includes the undefeated Mike Jones, another of the rising stars in the welterweight division and junior welterweight Pawel Wolak.  And Cotto always sells out the Garden with a strong contingent of Puerto Rican fans from New York City.

But this is not about Puerto Rico against Mexico. It is the fight that Cotto wanted and he anticipates the coming months of training, saying he is a much more matured fighter with his new team under the direction of Steward.

“We accepted 153 because we don’t want Antonio Margarito to make any excuses,” says Cotto. Indeed this looks like it could be another chapter though this time a different and better one for Miguel Cotto.

Instead it was WBA super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and two-time champion Ricardo Mayorga doing the talking for their upcoming “Relentless” title fight Saturday March 12^th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  Showtime Championship Boxing will televise the event that will also include Yori Foreman taking on top ten- contender Pawel Wolak in a 10-round super welterweight bout.

There was King doing his thing. Flamboyant as ever, King who is no longer considered a major player, has his hopes that Mayorga will take the title away from Cotto. This was a fight under discussion last year even before Mayorga tested the waters in mixed martial arts.

Cotto is still a viable champion and if victorious could get his redemption against Antonio Margarito at Madison Square Garden in June. But looking ahead has never been a motive for Cotto. He leaves that to Arum, his promoter and is looking for another dominant fight after disposing Foreman at Yankee Stadium in New York last June.

So we saw a different type of Cotto at the podium. Mayorga has a habit of bringing out the best in an opponent especially when the lights and cameras are on. There was no cigarette in the mouth of Mayorga, or a liquor bottle in his hand that has been customary, just combatant words from Mayorga that had Cotto on edge and ready to respond when he had the opportunity.

And through it all, King was silent. Perhaps the one time most powerful promoter in the sport has seen age and less power take its toll. Mayorga did the talking, and so did Cotto in what could be an interesting and perplexing fight that was good enough for Showtime and not HBO to take an interest.

Mayorga predicted a fourth round knockout, and it got better. “I have been watching all your fights the past four months, you are punch drunk,” he said to the champion from Cagaus Puerto Rico. “You can’t take a punch anymore and I will retire him. You and your trainer (Emanuel Steward) will fall.”

And with those words, and much more, Cotto went to work. Much more of the fighting words not usually heard from the champion at one of his press conferences. Because Mayorga compared Cotto’s hands to a woman and said he never liked him as a fighter.

The tone from Cotto was much different and of course assertive   He has never backed down from a challenge and certainly not this one  “My job is to fight in the ring,” answered Cotto who has held a world title every year since 2004 winning 15 of the 17 world championship belts he has held. “Nobody wins a fight with their mouth,” he said.

Both fighters have been in the ring with some of the best including Manny Pacquiao, Felix Trinidad and “Sugar” Shane Mosley. “Like Margarito, after the Pacquiao fight, you will be thinking of retiring after I am done with you,” said the 37-year old Mayorga, (28-7-23KO’s).

There were references to Cotto being “as small as a kid,” and “I think my pants are taller than you.” Of course more fire coming from Mayorga. This should make the fight more interesting in the weeks ahead. King was smiling again, but Cotto wasn’t because references to retirement and the ugly loss to Margarito only make him more confident.

What to watch before March 12^th is how well Cotto works again with Steward who will be in his corner for the second time. The two adapted well when Cotto stopped Foreman.

“Mayorga is a very tough man physically and mentally,” said Steward. “Forget about boxing, he is a fighter. He is going to come out and throw punches from all angles. He will probably come into the ring about 170 pounds.”

And Cotto kept talking as Mayorga did his usual interrupting. “I didn’t interrupt you, so don’t interrupt me,” he said to the challenger “The door is open there if you want to leave. With those little pants I beat Shane Mosley…do you remember him, Shane Mosley,” referring to how Mayorga  lost by knockout to Mosley in their title bout back in 2008.

Yes, a fight that will draw some interest and speculation as to who will prevail, and a win for King if his fighter Mayorga is victorious.  For Cotto a win leads to getting closer to a redemption fight with Margarito.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

“Back-to-backs are tough. This is the second for us, and we have another one coming up.” head coach Anne Donovan said after the game. “We had a lot of motivation against Phoenix; the last time when we were there we stumbled. Today everyone was really focused. We just stayed with the game plan. You put your mind into it and get it done.”

The Liberty did just that having five players in double-digit scoring. Leading the way for New York offensively was guard Cappie Pondexter who had 28 points, from 8-for-15 shooting from the field. The MVP candidate was 3-for-7 from the three-point arc. Also having a stellar day shooting was forward Nicole Powell, who had a career-high 23 points. Powell who certainly powered the Liberty shot 8-for-10 from the field, and 7-of-9 from the three-point range.

“We played exceptionally well today, especially going back-to-back,” Pondexter said after the game. “Our focus is absolutely great. We really pushed the tempo, ran the ball down the court, and we set the tone from the beginning.”

Nicole Powell agreed saying, “It was a great win for us today, especially going back-to-back. Everyone is just getting better. That is the most important thing is that everyone keeps getting better.”

Coach Donovan liked what she had seen from her forward Powell saying, “When Nicole (Powell) shoots the ball like that we’re really hard to beat.” Also complimenting Pondexter Donovan stated, “Cappie Pondexter is so good, the best one-on-one player in the league. Then when you add Nicole Powell’s three against the zone, it’s a pretty deadly combination.”

Center Taj McWilliams-Franklin netted 13 points to go along with five rebounds. Forward Plenette Pierson had several nice driving lay-ups for the Liberty in scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Forward Janel McCarville rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points along with grabbing six rebounds and dishing out six assist.

Pierson had this to say of the teams showing tonight, “We played really aggressively tonight, we were able to focus our defense on the League’s leading scorer (Diana Taurasi) and it frustrated her.”  When asked about her brand of play in the game Pierson said, “I was just trying to be aggressive, go after the loose balls and hustled and it was contagious.”

Every single player on the New York bench provided a key moment, stop, rebound, and point in the victory over Phoenix. Guard Essence Carson cashed in on several great scoring opportunities notching eight points while grabbing six boards. Center Kia Vaughn had several strong drives to the net tallying seven points, while grabbing five rebounds.

“It was a great team win,” Carson said after the game. “We were able to get the stops that we needed to and really stepped up today as a team.” The guard would continue to say, “We want to make sure that everyone on the team is ready. That every time someone touches the floor that they are ready to play and come out with a victory.”

Phoenix for the most part was not the offensive juggernaut, having all-time scorer Diana Taurasi kept to five points. Taurasi did have two very nice assists in the game, but it wasn‘t a typical game for league‘s leading scorer.  Stepping up to lead the Mercury offensively was forward DeWanna Bonner, who had 20 points and seven boards.  Guard Temeka Johnson scored 14 points and dishing out four assists. Center Kara Braxton provided a strong inside post presence netting 11 points and grabbing eight boards.

New York played with heart and hustled from the first quarter on. The Liberty and the Mecca was rocking most of the night as the crowd as the 9,645 exploded with energy throughout.  Those fans are going to be in for one wild ride.

“We’ve got a lot of games coming up where we’re going to log a lot of minutes and that locker room is not satisfied,” Coach Donovan said afterward. “Our goal of making the playoffs has been reached tonight, and now we’re going to set new goals for ourselves in the postseason.”

That ride will start on Tuesday as the Liberty square off with the Indiana Fever. The 7:00 p.m. game will be a battle for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty and the Fever have had epic battles in the past and it should be another battle on Tuesday night.

One of the keys to success against the Fever, “Stopping Tamika Catchings,” Pondexter said after the game. “She is really a catalyst for the Fever on both ends of the court. Hopefully we can get her frustrated and not have her score a lot of points against us. Catchings has been on a rampage in this second half, she is a tough player. She sets the tempo of the team and hopefully we can come out and be aggressive and play really well at home.”

Nicole Powell had this to say of the Fever, “Indiana is such a great team they are both tough offensively and defensively. They got some really great offensive players; it’s going to be a challenge. For us we need to be sharp and we need to be ready.  It is going to be a fight; Indiana keeps coming at you so you need to be prepared.”

It was another gut wrenching back-and-forth affair between two competitive teams, as there was 19 lead changes along with the two teams being tied a whopping 14 times. Gritty defensive play and key buckets in the fourth quarter eventually gave the Liberty the much needed victory, as New York is now the fourth seeded team in the Eastern Conference.

Leading the way for New York was guard Cappie Pondexter who had 20 points; following was forward Janel McCarville who had 15 points. Taj McWilliams Franklin and Plenette Pierson both had 14 points each and Leilani Mitchell had 12 points with some crucial three-pointers down the stretch for the team.

“Honestly just going into the fourth quarter it was just one of those games where we would have to grind it out,” Liberty head coach Anne Donovan said. “Los Angeles played with a ton of confidence and we allowed them to play with confidence through three quarters.”

Helping out with the Sparks confidence was the play of legendary center Tina Thompson who had 18 points. Following was guard Marie Ferdinand-Harris who had 17 points. Forward Noelle Quinn had 13 points, while DeLisha Milton-Jones rounded out the scoring with 10 points and five rebounds.

“It was definitely a playoff feel tonight. I thought it was a good test for us,” Sparks head coach Jennifer Gillom said. “It was a good matchup for us, a good one but a tough one as well. I thought they had a really good balance scoring on the inside, outside, which was a tough matchup for us. But I thought our team played well up until the last two or three minutes of the game and that’s showing signs of growth.”

The crowd of 14,307 along with special guest alumni Teresa Weatherspoon and Sue Wicks were on hand to witness one of the more thrilling victories for New York in this young 2010 season. As the Liberty had the 45-43 lead over the Sparks going into the locker room at halftime, as Plenette Pierson drove a lay-up along with two good free throws by Mitchell to give them that lead.

Los Angeles would make the final two quarters close by controlling much of the third quarter. DeLisha Milton-Jones had a driving lay-up at the 4:30 mark in the third quarter to give the Sparks the 53-52 lead. Marie Ferdinand-Harris hit a jumper with 3:36 remaining to give Los Angeles the 55-54 lead. The end of the third quarter would not end the way New York wanted it too as two good free throws by Milton-Jones with 23 seconds left to give the Sparks the 63-62 lead.

“I think the difference in the third quarter was our ball movement,” Milton-Jones said of the Sparks turn around in that frame. “Our aggressiveness as a team really turned on our offense.  When we are aggressive like that then the baskets come a lot easier and you have scoring all over the court, as opposed to one or two players dominating.”

In the fourth quarter New York would really step up the energy and their play as Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who was so strong in the inside post all night long had a rebound and a lay-up at the 9:44 mark to give New York the 64-63 lead. Leilani Mitchell hit one of her many huge three point shots at the 8:20 mark to make it 67-66 in favor of New York.

“I just wanted to go out there and create something in the post, get the team going” McWilliams-Franklin said after the game. “For me to be able to get the rebounds tonight it was about timing and boxing the other team out and a lot of those missed shots were falling to me perfectly. I was there and had some put backs, and that is something that we as a team are going to have to do every night is to get those rebounds.”

Janelle McCarville who was another strong performer for New York tonight hit a jumper with 5:12 remaining as New York tried to keep pace with Los Angeles, who kept fighting back with key buckets all evening long. One of the bigger baskets for the Sparks was a jumper by Noelle Quinn at the 3:45 mark to cut the Liberty lead to 73-72.  The heart of the team started to show in the final minutes as Cappie Pondexter had a huge block and defensive rebound which led to a Plenette Pierson jumper for the 75-72 lead with 2:17 remaining.

“For the first time in a long time the ball went into the net more than it usually does,” McCarville said of her 7-of-12 shooting from the field, which included some nice jump shots. “Everyone has been in my ear and getting my confidence up, telling me to stop thinking and keep shooting. I couldn’t be prouder of the win tonight, with all of the stars that are on the Sparks we were able to take care of business and it was a great win.”

Leilani Mitchell who has been playing huge all season long for the Liberty had series including a driving lay-up; a steal and  two good free throws to give New York the 79-72 lead. Forward Nicole Powell had her second huge three-point shot of the night with 1:52 remaining to make the lead 82-72.  New York continued to grind out the game as McCarville continued a fine offensive showing by hitting a driving lay-up with 48.9 seconds left to pad the Liberty lead to 86-76. Mitchell had two good free throws to make the score 88-79 as Plenette Pierson had a huge block to go along with a Pondexter rebound to cap the New York victory.

“Leilani is playing with so much confidence right now,” Anne Donovan said of her point guard. “She came into this year really fighting for the point guard position and gained the trust of the players with every practice and every game. What we have now is the product of a lot of hard work on Leilani’s part.”

Of the fourth quarter the point guard had this to say, “The last few minutes we really buckled down and we knew we needed a win. We’re still trying to make the playoffs so I think when it came down to it we really got the stops when we needed them.”

The quest for a playoff spot continues for New York as they face the Connecticut Sun for a 4:30 p.m. Sunday evening game at Madison Square Garden.

Add another bizarre situation to the boxing annals. Saturday evening at Yankee Stadium, when Miguel Cotto and Yori Foreman were in the ring it was a towel thrown from the corner of Foreman that became a subject of speculation. Who threw in the towel, and why did referee Arthur Mercante Jr, resume the fight when all of the confusion started in the seventh and crazy eighth round.

It was the return of boxing at Yankee Stadium, the first time since 1976 when Muhammad Ali defeated Ken Norton.  The stadium was electric, 20,272 fans screaming more for Cotto in the bleacher seats and most of the lower and upper right field areas.

Cotto (35-2, 28KO’s) would defeat Foreman by TKO at 42 seconds of round nine. More on that later, as the towel and an injury to Foreman were significant factors that made the historic return of boxing to Yankee Stadium more interesting than the final outcome.

Cotto, the pride of Puerto Rico becomes a four-time champion in three divisions taking the WBA super welterweight title from Foreman.  For the moment questions about where Cotto goes from here, either stay at 154 or back to 147, are to be determined.

There is no question though about the revival of Cotto who would have had minimal options with a defeat. After a mediocre and controversial decision that went his way against Joshua Clottey at Madison Square Garden last year, and a brutal defeat to welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao later on, Cotto needed to look dominant and get the win over Foreman.

And for most of the fight Cotto was doing his job. He did not look impressive but good enough to be considered a viable champion at his new weight.  There were times in the fight when Cotto threw the jab with authority, very defensive and using the foot work to his advantage as a way to stay with the bigger Foreman  But a slip by Foreman mid way of round seven, possibly caused by a wet spot on the ring apron, hindered the champion.  Foreman re-injured a right knee, wrapped with a brace, from the fall, a previous injury that was never revealed prior to the fight.

He wobbled back to his corner and there was concern. Then the bizarre events mid way of the eighth round began, which had every one talking. It was no more about the historic event of boxing returning to the new Yankee Stadium but how the towel and referee got caught in the middle.

Foreman started the eighth round obviously hurt and hobbling. The towel is thrown in the ring. The assumption from those at ringside, and in the crowd is, the fight is over. Yes, all these years covering boxing and the assumed rule is when the corner throws in the towel, the fight is over.  Both fighters assumed it was over, so did everyone in the stadium.

Fans immediately made their displeasure known and the two fighters embrace, as they assume the fight is over. The ring is occupied now with HBO Sports personnel, people from the respective fight camps and personnel from the New York State Athletic Commission. Where do we go from here? That was the question at ringside.

Joe Grier, trainer of Foreman threw in the towel and apparently promoter Bob Arum, in a tirade, also wondered and asked that the fight continue something, if true goes against boxing bylaws. Grier denies the account and later retracts what was seen on the big screen at Yankee Stadium. Ring announcer Michael Buffer explains the fight will continue. Mercante said “The towel came in the heat of the battle. They had a good exchange going. I felt it was necessary to stop it.”

He added about the towel, “I didn’t know where it came from. There was no need to stop the fight. They were in the middle of a great fight. That’s what the fans came to see. I felt I did the right thing to let it continue.”  When the towel is thrown a fight is stopped, though the rule in New York leaves that discretion to the referee who can determine if a fighter can’t continue.

“I called time, they had an extra minute to rest,” said Mercante son of Arthur Sr. who recently passed away and was the third man in the ring when Ali fought Norton at the old stadium. “I went over to Yuri and told him to suck it up. He showed the true heart of a champion.”

Though the referee has become an important person to determine the safety of a fighter, a decision to continue or not has always been left to the discretion of a ringside physician. This made the unusual events even more confusing and opens more questions.

It seemed Cotto was perplexed. And though he was leading on all three judges scorecards this writer had Cotto ahead by one round at the time of the official stoppage. Foreman, though injured seemed to have an incentive to continue and seemed to be getting at Cotto. Those responsible for keeping the corner areas dry in between rounds should be at fault for not making this fight continue.

“I have to still fight, I can’t stop,” said Cotto. “It’s a fight,’ he said. “The fight has to continue. When the eighth round finished I saw on the screen his trainer threw the towel in the ring,” said Cotto referring to the replay being shown on the big Yankee Stadium video screen in center field. “I still followed instructions The referee said someone outside the ring threw in the towel.”

Foreman (28-1, 8KO’s) to his credit was not a sore loser. Like Cotto he was just as perplexed at the developments, in his heart wanting to continue, until Cotto went to work and used a left hook to the body that put an end to the fight in the ninth round.

“At first I felt rusty and didn’t want to get into the rhythm, but later I felt better until the accident,” explained Foreman. “Cotto is a great fighter. It just gave out,” he said about the knee. “It was a lot of pain, very sharp pain. But Arthur Mercante let me go. I just couldn’t do a lot of movement.”

More justification, had the injury not happened, had someone did the rightful job of wiping the ring, perhaps Foreman would still be champion. Cotto may have had been telling a different story, “I’m world champion, now former world champion,” commented Foreman. But we’re just not quitting. We’re world champion, I fight. I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted to continue.”

To his credit Cotto followed his plan and trained effectively with new trainer Emanuel Steward. “I think we make the plan of working with the jab of putting pressure on him, and it worked,” said Cotto. “Just follow the instruction sand stay focused,” referring to what new trainer Emanuel Steward continually told him.

Regardless of the outcome it was a Cotto type of fight. He is back   Foreman has every right for a return bout. But we will leave that up to Arum who has other major plans at the moment trying to get his welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in the ring with challenger Floyd Mayweather Jr. Arum would like to do another fight at the stadium, but it won’t be Pacquiao and Mayweather.

“Taxes are too high,” he said with Las Vegas appearing to be the venue And with no major superstar in the sport that could draw an interest, the only hope is Cotto continues his career and makes a return to the Bronx again next June.

A bizarre night as Yankee Stadium was christened once again with championship boxing. Now there needs to be more explaining about a wet spot in a corner of the ring, and like it always is in boxing a further explanation as to how a towel throwing incident in the ring determines when a fight should be stopped.

UNDERCARD RESULT: Christian Martinez of the Bronx opened the historic evening of boxing at the new Yankee Stadium defeating Jonathan Cuba (2-2,, 2KO’s) by decision in their four round super lightweight bout.

Cuba sustained a nasty cut above his left eye and was knocked down twice in the fourth and final round.  Martinez (4-0) used a barrage of punches before referee Sparkle Lee put an end to the fight at 1:18.

Email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The fights that night will be the first bouts fought in a Yankee Stadium ring since September 28, 1976 when Muhammed Ali won a 15 round decision over Ken Norton. Forty-five boxing shows were held at the venue during its first 36 years of existence, but the June 5^th show will only be the second in more than a half-century (June 26, 1959).  The names of boxing legends that fought at the Bronx venue include Joe Louis, 11 times, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson and Jack Dempsey.

Miguel Cotto, the challenger on June5, held a Spanish language press conference on Wednesday, May 19, to help promote the event. Cotto expressed his pride when asked to describe his feelings of boxing in this historic site, “It’s a legendary place. It’s very emotional for me. If we give a good performance our names will be connected to the greats of the past.”

Without denigrating his upcoming opponent, Cotto expressed confidence that his preparation will be sufficient to ensure him a victory in the bout, “I’m prepared for this fight. I have great plans. I’ve worked for the past 7-8 weeks. We will try to implement what we have learned [of Yuri Foreman].” When asked if fighting at 154 pounds will be more difficult than his previous championships, 140 and 147 pound weights, Cotto responded, “I feel very well. I don’t think it’ll be a big difference.”

Cotto has headlined shows at Madison Square Garden in mid-June during four of the past five years as part of the festive events held during the week preceding the National Puerto Rican Parade on Fifth Avenue. Cotto, a native of Caguas asked if he formulated this tradition. He said the idea was that of his promoters, Top Rank.

Cotto was asked if his new trainer, Emanuel Steward, will make a difference in the bout. The former champ said of the legendary and experienced trainer of many champions, “Who wouldn’t be happy to have him in his corner?” Steward explained to reporters his methods of training his new fighter, “We use a lot of music and dancing to improve his balance. It’s been fun. He’s like a new boxer.”

The two boxers are both 29 years old, but Cotto has much more experience, especially competing against highly rated boxers. Although the two never faced one another, Foreman fought on the undercard of three shows headlined by Cotto.

As the New York Yankees are part of the promotion, Jason Zillo, the director of media relations for the team was asked to comment on the fight being held at the new home of the Yankees. He stated, “This is a facility that should not be dormant when the Yankees are on the road or during the winter and early spring months. This stadium can transcend the sport of baseball. There are endless opportunities here and I know our ownership will pursue them.”

There may have been more interest coming from the various fights in the crowd. Supporters of Khan and Malignaggi went at it before the two fighters entered the ring Watching Khan, though take center stage for the first time on American soil took away the distractions from those who paid admission to stage their own fight.

So when referee Steve Smoger halted the bout at 1:25 of round 11.there was relief. Not because the fans would finally stop their war of words and trading of unauthorized throwing of fists.  There was that sense of relief coming from all corners. If the fight continued, the battered Malignaggi may have been seriously hurt.

The 23-year old Khan, (23-1, 17 KO’s) retained his lightweight championship with speed and power. He easily won all but one round, possibly losing the fourth. All three judges gave Khan every round prior to the stoppage, and at the end of round four the left eye of Malinaggi needed attention in the corner.

“No disrespect to Paulie,” said the 140-pound champion who plans on unifying the division. “Paulie is a great awkward fighter   I knew the last few rounds I was hurting him.  I used my speed and power and my jab. Me and Freddie worked on it,” he said about trainer Freddie Roach.

Of course no disrespect to Malignaggi, (27-4, 5KO’S) a slugger. The round before the stoppage he pleaded with ringside physician Ostric King to continue when the doctor wanted to stop the fight. He fractured his jaw a few years ago against Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden and went to war with the tough Ricky Hatton.

There was a harsh war of words coming from Malignaggi during the week leading to the fight. The hometown hero, from Brooklyn New York, and Khan almost traded fists during the weigh- in a day before the fight.

But it was no match for Khan who proved he can be a marketable commodity in the states. Afterwards, his promoter, Richard Schafer of Golden Boy Promotions was talking about Khan highlighting a card at the Garden in November. Khan has the supporters and could sell out the Garden main arena.

Future opponents could be undefeated champions Timothy Bradley or Devon Alexander. Mandatory challenger Marcus Maidana is also on the list as a potential next opponent.  Either fight for Khan would be a good match, and marketable for the Garden or another venue in the United States.

But you hear Khan, and where he would prefer his next fight to be held. ”I want to go home and fight in July,” he said referring to his hometown fans in the UK. “After that I want to fight all the big names. I want Maidina, Bradley, and Alexander. Bring them all on.”

Trainer Freddie Roach has no preference either. He has groomed Khan to adjust for any opponent, similar to what he does with his welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. “He controlled the fight with the jab.” said Roach. “That was the key factor. It worked all night. We had a very good game plan and he stuck with it. I told him to finish him and he did it.” eHe controlled the fight with the jab,”

And for Malignaggi, there may be no other options. His promoter, Lou DiBella would like to see his fighter go home, hang up the gloves, possibly pursue a career as a television boxing analyst.  Malignaggi made over $450,000 for this fight and with the loss there are no other title opportunities coming his way.

It may no longer be “Magic Time” for Malignaggi in the ring and he could be a perfect guy behind the mike at ringside. In defeat there was the analysis. “He’s better than Ricky Hatton was,” said Malinaggi about Khan.

On the co main event Victor Ortiz (27-2-1, 21 KO’s)   the native of Ventura California  won a 10-round super lightweight unanimous decision over Nate Campbell (33-6-1,25KO’s),   Through four rounds it was a one- sided fight with Ortiz fighting inside and getting the best of Campbell.  At the end of the fifth it was Ortiz throwing punches in the ropes and Campbell failing to fight back

Coming off his win over Hector Akatore in February, Ortiz reiterated is plan to fight again soon, possibly on another Garden card that would feature Khan.  The story though was Ortiz taking it to Campbell in the fifth round. The two fighters had some words as they were throwing punches.

Said Ortiz, “He said to me, ‘you get me down you are going down with me.’”  That set the tone for what Ortiz wanted to do and that was trying to knock out Campbell. “My intention was to knock him out. He tried to use his experience against me. He’s very experienced,”

Also on the card, Brooklyn middleweight Danny Jacobs remained undefeated (20-0, 17 KO’s) stopping Juan Astorga (14-5-1, 9 KO’s) in the second round and won the NABF middleweight title..

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

This year, mainly because Cotto is headlining the return of boxing at Yankee Stadium on Saturday June 5^th the Garden will not be hosting a Cotto party the night before the parade. Instead the spotlight turns to the relatively unknown Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon the WBO junior flyweight champion.

Calderon (33-0-1) from Baymon Puerto Rico defends against Jesus “Azul” Irbe (17-6-4, 10KO’s) of Culican Sinaloa Mexico, not in the main arena but at the adjacent Garden Theatre.  Not the main stage for Calderon, also a fight not televised on HBO, as Top Rank will stage the broadcast on FSN and Fox Sports Espanol.

It does not bother Calderon, a 35-year old champion that he is not on the HBO network. Not does it matter that he will be showing his talents before 5,000 or so fans instead of the 16,000 plus that would pack the Garden main arena.

Cotto has had his time. And many believe if he fails to defeat Foreman, the WBA Super Welterweight champion, then his career is just about over when it comes to significant title opportunities. Calderon has never caught on with the Latino boxing fan, here or in Puerto Rico. Cotto may have lost some of his popularity after a mediocre loss to welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao back in December.

And the retired former champion, Felix Trinidad, is still a hero in Puerto Rico according to many, and so says Calderon. “He is boxing to so many of us,” said Calderon referring to Trinidad at a New York press conference last week to announce his title defense that will include an under card of many Top Rank Latino prospects.

“I’m a little more popular because of my personality,” added Calderon who made reference as to how Cotto has turned off the light switch with his personality of not being as receptive as he once was. There have been highly publicized incidents of Cotto having conflicts with his management team, including a fist fight at a boxing gym in Puerto Rico with uncle and former trainer Evangilista

Then there was Cotto putting aside trainer Joe Santiago, and using the services of highly acclaimed trainer Emanuel Steward for the Foreman fight next month. Calderon, though, still offers his respect to Cotto, a one-time stable mate when they both started under manager Pete Rivera.

“The fact I am smaller is why my popularity is not as huge,” says Calderon who reigns in a division that gets little or no notoriety. “I always said Miguel Cotto helped me. Where he is, is where I want to be,” says the 2000 Olympic representative for Puerto Rico at 106 pounds.

Calderon is a nine-year professional and 17-0-1 with 2 KO’s in world championship fights. Cotto may or may not be at the Garden for his fight though there are reports he will remain in New York City a week after his fight in the Bronx and attend parade festivities the next day

“You can never be jealous of your people,” said Calderon when asked if there was any resentment towards Cotto.  The two fighters hardly speak after the split with Rivera. “But the one who made Miguel Cotto is Peter Rivera,” he says.

That alone says there is some type of animosity with Cotto and Calderon. And sources say some harsh words have been traded with the two. Calderon would not comment about what has been said, but in reality it does not matter.

Because you can never compare the boxing styles of the two fighters as Cotto and Calderon are so far away in weight. And of course Cotto has been involved in wars, in the ring with high profiled names such as Pacquio and Shane Mosley. Cotto has made more money and has never avoided a challenge.

The important thing now is Calderon taking the spotlight, at the Garden and he expects to prevail.

THROWING THE PUNCHES:  Enough is enough with the foul mouth coming from heavyweight Chris Arrelo (29-2, 2KO’s), the Mexican native residing in Escondido California.  Once again, in the ring after a 12-round IFF International title opportunity loss to Tomasz Adamek he used obscenities on the HBO televised broadcast that were not deleted.

And the words were loud and clear when he answered the post fight questions of ringside analyst Max Kellerman.  “That Mother ****** was tough…He was the better Mother ****** tonight,” said the foul mouth heavyweight who has done this time and time again on HBO.

The HBO broadcast team, Bob Papa and former champion Lennox Lewis stayed quiet and failed to offer a proper apology to viewers. It was another bad thing for the credibility of boxing, and most of all shame to HBO for once again failing to cut the mike or to tell Arrelo to watch his mouth.  The good thing is we wont be seeing or hearing much more of the “Foul Mouth” as this loss pretty much damages Arrelo’s credibility in the ring as well…

And farewell to John Ruiz, the first and only heavyweight world champion of Latino heritage who announced his retirement Monday after a ring career of 18 years.  Known as “The Quietman”, Ruiz (44-9-1, 30KO’s) was a two-time champion who defeated three world champions, Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tiny Tucker  His of his career losses were against world champions.

Ruiz held the WBA title twice, but his mark on the division was never considered legitimate because the division is filled with alphabet soup titles and mediocrity. And Ruiz was never once to excite a crowd with his boring style, and hugging one or more opponent for 12-rounds instead of trading punches.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring 786@aol.com

In the first round on Tuesday, the 13^th seeded Red Storm (17-15) upset the Connecticut Huskies (17-15), 73-51. St. John’s began the contest with great intensity and took a 10-2 lead at 15:15. A free throw by Paris Horne gave the Red Storm its first double digit advantage, 22-12, at 10:48. The first half ended with St. John’s leading, 35-22.

The Red Storm never led by less than eight points in the second half. The team surged ahead during the final eight minutes. St. John’s climbed to a game-high 25 point advantage with 46 remaining after a 22-6 scoring run. After the contest, Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun profusely praised the St. John’s team, “they [St. John’s] came out with purpose, physicality and quite frankly handed us our butts. They knocked us all off our screens. They completely outplayed us. They were much hungrier than we were.” Calhoun clearly foresees a great improvement for New York City’s only representative in the Big East Conference, “They certainly have a bright future ahead of them. They’ll be one of the better teams, I think, in the Big East, certainly top five or six next year.”

The second round game against Marquette (21-10) was reminiscent of the contest between the two teams at Carnesecca Arena in Queens late in the regular season when Marquette edged St. John’s, 63-61 in overtime. Marquette scored the first six points of the contest on Wednesday, and held the lead throughout the first half. After an opening second half basket by Marquette’s David Cubillan, St. John’s went on a 22-10 scoring run to tie the game at 39 with 10:46 left to play. The game was tied four more times in the next seven minutes, but St. John’s again fell short by two points, 57-55. St. John’s was without the services of its second leading scorer Dwight Hardy. The Bronx native has made an important contribution to the team’s improvement this season. Hardy’s leg injury, suffered  late in the regular season, has kept him out of the lineup. The highly competitive contest excited the large local crowd in attendance. After the conclusion of the exciting contest, Marquette coach Buzz Williams gave credit to his counterpart at St. John’s, “Coach Roberts doesn’t get the credit he’s deserving of for how hard his team plays. ..If you were to ask our players who is the hardest playing team in the league, they would tell you St. John’s. I don’t think teams play hard just for one another. I think they play hard for one another and for their coach. I think that’s what St. John’s does. I think that’s what they did yesterday. And I thought they were the hardest playing team today.”

Nevertheless, Clottey has bypassed the questions as to why he has become the second fiddle. He almost defeated Miguel Cotto last year for the WBO welterweight title, now held by Pacquiao at Madison Square Garden.  And Clottey realizes to defeat Pacquiao more punches will have to be thrown.

“You know I am not a flyweight, not a bantamweight,” says Clottey (35-3, 20KO’s) a native of Ghana now residing in the Bronx “I am a welterweight and welterweights only throw punches that connect.  I can throw punches which connect and land and cause damage.”

That fight with Cotto, last June at Madison Square Garden in New York almost went to Clottey. Another punch here or there and Cotto would have been dethroned. That’s how close the fight was. “I can throw punches which connect and land and cause damage,” says Clottey.  “If you look at the last fight, I won the last round. He (Cotto) threw punches and I blocked them and threw punches and they connected. I will throw punches that cause damage,”

And if Clottey stands any chance against the powerful Pacquiao, (50-3, 38KO’s) from the Philippines, he will have to punch and also throw his jabs with authority. Pacquiao is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the business and after defeating Cotto achieved boxing history as the first time seven division champion.

“My training is going to show when I get in the ring, but with Manny Pacquiao you don’t have to miss with him,” commented Clottey last week. “When he is throwing you have to let him do it.  A victory would mean very ,very more than a lot to me. That’s why I am so happy about this opportunity,”

There is constant suspicion that Pacquiao may be taking steroids, a question that has been raised now because Pacquiao refused Olympic style drug testing that caused his fight with Mayweather  to be called off/ Mayweather wanted that blood sample testing of  three random times as a stipulation and the Pacquiao camp did everything they could do to prevent it,

As a result Clottey got his big opportunity, this time at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium that could see a crowd in excess of 40,000. On the steroid issue hovering around Pacquiao, Cottey said, “I don’t want him to do that because I respect him too much. I don’t think Manny Pacquiao is doing that thing.”

“If he is doing that thing he is killing the sport. I believe in him. I know he throws a lot of punches. He is the man now and he is the best fighter out there.  When I walk in the ring I know what I will have to do to win the fight.”

Cottey was never thinking about this fight. He wanted another shot at Cotto. But the chance came, and his career has always been about defeating any fighter that would give him an opportunity. Pacquiao this Saturday night offers that opportunity and a win for Clottey could turn the division upside down.

One other factor to consider as Clottey fights for his fourth world title. His trainer, Kwame Asante was not granted a visa form Ghana. Clottey has been tutored by the veteran Lenny DeJesus of the Bronx, a valuable cut man as well who at one time worked the corner with Pacquiao’s main and acclaimed trainer Freddy Roach.

“:Lenny has over 40 years in the business and I feel very confident and comfortable with him,” says Clottey.  DeJesus has also been in the corner of Clottey as a cut man. “He was pushing me a lot,” says Clottey, “and he knows what he is doing.”

What the boxing world will find out Saturday evening is how much the Cotto fight taught Clottey. He wins and for sure he is not looked as a second fiddle when it comes to the mega fight.

GOLDEN GLOVES CONTINUE WITH DISAPPOINTING OUTCOMES:  Bronx based Victor Pena was a busy trainer the past few days preparing three of his fighters for a chance to advance in the 40^th annual Daily News New York City Golden Gloves Tournament. Pena has guided 42 champions to the illustrious gold over the years.

The 49^th annual tournament, most prestigious amateur one in the country, that has led many more to pro boxing championship fame continued last week in the New York City area. Pena packed his bags and met his kids at his temporary quarters, John’s Gym in the South Bronx.  His kids have been training there because their home gym, Morris Park was gutted by a fire in December,

Pena on three separate evenings got his fighters in his van, along with some supporters as they took the journey to Glen Cove Long Island, Flushing Queens and near the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn. Golden Gloves venues are picked months in advance by Daily News Community Relations Director Brian Adams a Golden Gloves champion in the 1990’s who had a brief pro career as a welterweight.

“We prefer to do the shows at community centers and churches,” says Adams at ringside last week when the quarterfinals continued at the Electrical industrial Center in Flushing   “It’s a win situation for all,” he says as the directors of the venues split profits with tournament organizers.

As so often happens, Pena and other trainers will arrive at venues and their fighters will discover that the preparation has to wait for another day. Either one or two participants is, a no- show, or there is a medical or weight issue and the result is a bye into the next round.

Pena’s fighters get to Glen Cove and find out that their bouts in the 114 pound weight class are not until Saturday evening in Brooklyn. “Someone made a mistake, somewhere,” comments Pena.   So it is on to Friday in Flushing/

You arrive at the venue. Fighters are cramped in a back room and called one-by-one for their physicals. This time Pena’s fighter, Frank Garriga is first on the bout sheet and ready to try and advance to the semifinals in the 123-pound open class. He, like many others has no idea what his opponent will do. It is hard to study an opponent in this tournament, not like the pro game where fight tapes are available.

Garriga had a tough time with Marcus Suarez and failed to get his second pair of gloves. He won the 119-pound novice final at Madison Square Garden two years ago. “You did not do your running and lost your stamina,” said Pena to his fighter when it was all over.  “I want to turn pro,” said Garriga who felt he won the fight.

Pena quickly dispelled any thoughts to his fighter about turning professional. At the age of 21, Garriga still has plenty to learn. But like most fighters who fail to get a decision in this tournament, the feeling is they got robbed by inept judges. “No you win when you throw more punches,” says Pena.

Pena’s two other fighters, Chayanne Rivera and Jeffrey Archie also fell short in the quarterfinals on Saturday night. Rivera, of the south Bronx lost his first amateur fight getting stopped after the second round. The anticipation that was there Thursday waited another day and was quickly over.

You here the same response from Rivera, that was heard from Garriga the night before.  “I want to turn pro.” And they same response from Pena, “You are not ready,” as this trainer has concern for his fighters.   “It’s back to the drawing board,” said Pena to his fighters after Archie lost a tough decision to conclude a losing thee days.

The good thing is these are kids. The earning process to only get better, and as Archie said, after failing in his second attempt to get to the finals, “I won’t quit this tournament until I get those gloves.” Yes the Golden Gloves are so important to these young pugilists looking for prominence.  The finals are at the Madison Square Garden WaMu Theatre March 25^th and 26^th.

COTTO FIGHT HEADED TO YANKEE STADIUM:  It is not official but should be in the next few days Miguel Cotto, the former welterweight champion who lost to Pacquiao late last year will return to New York and have his next fight at Yankee Stadium Saturday June 5^th opposing Yuri Foreman in a fight that would be televised on HBO Sports.

“It’s almost certain to be a date,” said a source at Top Rank, promoter of Cotto.  The particulars as to seating and where the ring would be placed are the remaining elements that have kept the official announcement from being made.

Foreman and Cotto does not have the magnitude as a Cotto-Mayweather or Cotto-Shane Mosley bout would, however the Yankees organization is intent on returning boxing back to their palace in the Bronx, and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is a close friend of Yankees CEO Lonn Trost.

Foreman holds one of those alphabet soup belts in boxing and has a tremendous following in the New York Jewish community.  So the fight will generate some interest in the Bronx especially with the popularity Cotto has in the Puerto Rican community.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Log on to: www.keepitinthering,net