Boxing fans around the world rejoiced as the fight between Cotto and Margarito was waved off giving the Puerto Rican boxer his revenge against the fallen Mexican star.
At least most of them did.
There were also those who wished for the fight two go on, though they belong to two different camps.
One group wanted to see the fight continue on so that Margarito—who had been found almost bringing loaded gloves to the ring in a 2009 fight with Shane Mosley—could be punished some more. Those were the fans who believed that Cotto had been robbed of a win back in 2008 when the two met because of loaded gloves.
Nothing has ever been proven.
However, in the eyes of boxing fans, he has been found guilty, and Saturday was an execution cut short.
This is a darker reason to keep the fight going, and it is inexcusable. For whatever things he may have done, Margarito is warranted the right to see his health safely protected from excess damage.
It isn't "fair" considering the very real possibility that he did damage Cotto in their first fight, especially considering how Cotto's face looked a the end of both fights, but "fair" is really justice or mercy.
Mercy is usually different than justice when it comes to what is "fair," but in this case it isn't. Mercy and justice both dictate that Margarito should be protected, regardless of what he may have done in previous fights.
If boxing failed to protect Cotto on that night, it wouldn't have redeemed itself by failing to protect Margarito either. It would have just made it worse.
The second group of fans who wanted the fight continued did so because it seemed like Margarito might have been landing more as the later rounds when on. It's easy to dismiss this point, but there is some merit.
Fans bought this fight to see who would come out victorious, knowing there would be no unfair advantages.
The last fight went 11 rounds, with Cotto finally succumbing to Margarito's power, even though he had won a majority of the rounds.
But the fight was cut short from the first. Fans essentially missed out on two rounds of the rematch that they were hoping to see.
In some eyes, this meant that Margarito might have made a comeback. It is an unlikely thought but one that deserved a chance.
Joe Callahan Bryan Allen Mark Cullen Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Chicago White Sox
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