Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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WHAT A FIGHT!  Expectations were very high for last night's scrap between the two best fighters in boxing's most competitive weight class, and Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto managed to exceed those expectations with an epic battle for the ages at the MGM Grand in Vegas.  And at the end of the night, it was the challenger and 2-1 underdog Margarito who beat the previously unbeaten Cotto into submission in the 11th round.  My cuz recaps last nights instant classic. Almost every time you have this type of hype leading into a fight, it's very hard for the fight to exceed those lofty expectations.  Especially when it costs $50 to order on pay per view, which raises the expectation level even further.

Last night in Las Vegas no boxing fan should feel they didn't get their money's worth. Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto put on a show. It is easily the current frontrunner for fight of the year as many predicted it would be.

Antonio Margarito was simply amazing in his 11^th round TKO victory over Cotto last night. He took huge shots and continued to walk thru everything. His chin is second to none, many of the punches he took would have knocked out ordinary boxers.

Miguel Cotto started the fight in very impressive fashion. He was dominating early with vicious combinations and great movement. Being able to stick and move had Margarito a little frustrated and not throwing as many punches as he normally does.  Cotto won four out of the first five rounds and looked well on his way to a solid unanimous decision.

Starting In the sixth round, Margarito's punch count began climbing and climbing. He was able to find the right distance and continued landing to both the head and body. Cotto was still landing good punches but not as many as in the early round. Margarito was stalking Cotto and you could see the determination in the eyes of both warriors. The accuracy of Margarito's punches were taking a toll on Cotto's face.

By the end of the ninth round you could tell Cotto was tiring and looked to be in some trouble. Margarito was still on the attack and wasn't going to stop. With about thirty seconds left in the tenth round, Cotto appeared wobbled by a shot to the top of the head. He was stumbling and blood was pouring from his eye, mouth, and nose.

The eleventh round was the exclamation point. Margarito imposed his will and made the undefeated Cotto quit. He battered him with power shots and Cotto took a knee. You could see it on his face he had no answer for the assault and was ready to give up. He returned to his feet and was greeted with a few more bombs from Margarito. He back peddled into a corner and his corner threw in the towel, they had seen enough.

Antonio Margarito is the new king of the 147 pound division. He just destroyed an undefeated fighter who many had either number one or two on their pound for pound rankings. Many great fighters did not want to fight him in the past and he showed boxing fans everywhere why. Floyd Mayweather turned down 8 million dollars to fight him. That was probably a smart decision.

What a great performance by both champions. The fight lived up to hype and then some. It was action packed from the opening bell to the time the towel was waived by Cotto's corner.

After such a great and exciting fight people always talk rematch. Will there be one? Does Cotto really want to go thru that again? We will probably learn more about the makeup of Miguel Cotto when those questions are answered. It was his first loss and he should want to get his revenge. It will be interesting to see what happens next with him.

As far as Antonio Margarito goes, he called out Oscar De La Hoya after the fight as everyone has because that's where the money is. I don't think Oscar takes that offer as he actually wants to win his finale. Paul Williams should be an option so Margarito gets his shot at avenging his loss from 2007. A rematch with Cotto also would make a lot of sense.

A lot of questions as to what will happen next in the best division in boxing. The next few months will determine what will happen in a loaded weight class.

Fight of the year? No doubt about it. It was one of the best fights I have seen in awhile and walked away extremely entertained. Fights like that prove to fans that we are seeing some of the best athletes in the world. What a great display of heart and determination.

Fight fans everywhere got their money's worth. What a great fight.