Margarito v. Mosley "live"

I'm picking up the typing midway through the second round. I give the first round to Mosley for aggressiveness and sharper punching against the notoriously slow starting Margarito. HBO informs us that Margarito was busted pre-fight with a "hardening" substance in his hand wrap. Was it there when Margarito destroyed Cotto?

The second round is closing and again, it's close and with 20 seconds to go it's up for grabs. The ref separates them and tells them he wants them to "be gentlemen"?!? Good luck with that. I give round two to Mosley, so it's 20-18 Mosley.

Uh oh, I agree with Harold Lederman? Shane is staying away and Margarito is missing. Margarito is starting to use a jab and connect and Mosley connects with hooks, but Margarito is made of stone. Mosley lands heavy shots and Margarito just smiles. Nice combinations. As long as Mosley doesn't fade, he should be okay. Recall that Cotto unloaded to Margarito's head for 8 rounds. Margarito still coming forward, and Mosley wins that round handily. Up 30-27.

Margarito ineffective early in the fourth. I agree with Jim Lampley that Mosley is banking rounds. Margarito is game but Mosley is not a fighter who fades. It's a good fight! Mosley unloading, blocking and counterpunching. Mosley jumping in and boxing well against the very aggressive and wild Margarito. Mosley boxing very well at mid-range with the heavy handed Margarito. And Lampley asks the same question about the Cotto fight and the hand wrap that I asked above. Did Margarito cheat in July against Cotto? Of course, no hand wrap would explain how Margarito ate Cotto's heavy leather all night and was still there and strong in the eleventh to TKO Cotto. Mosley's round again, but closer 40-36

Same story at the ouset of the fifth. Margarito more active but Shane is pushing Margarito, tying him up, separating and punishing him when they break. Margarito leaves himself unprotected when they break and Mosley is exploiting it. Shane has gone to school to beat Margarito's style and Shane is fearless. Mosley again 50-45. All of the first five rounds go to Shane. It's a fun fight to watch.

Opening the sixth, Mosley snaps Margarito's head back. Even through half the round and Margarito still coming forward while Mosley sticks the jab and beats Antonio over the top. Shane knew what he was coming in against and he didn't have any of the illusions that Cotto had about his opponents tendency to wilt before him. Shane will not bend. Shane will not break. Shane backing up Margarito. Shane takes the sixth easily, up 60-54. Maybe only one of these rounds have been close enough to go for Margarito. It's competitive but the rounds, one after another, are going to Mosley quite clearly.

I agree with the HBO team that Shane won't wilt like Cotto. Shane won't punch himself out. Shane is landing heavy leather up top, but the difference from Cotto is that Shane doesn't expect Margarito to fall. Shane is ready and willing to go all the way. He's not expecting to see Margarito on the canvas. He knows that his heavy shots all night long are still going to leave Margarito in front of him. With 40 seconds left, Mosley is shoe-shining with jabs and staying away, cuffing and stepping in and tagging him. Mosley takes a closer round 70-63.

Mosley maybe slowing down a bit. Hugging more. Margarito lands heavy at 2 minute mark. Margarito more effective and Mosley tying up more. With a minute left, it's Margarito's round. Last minute, Shane turns it up again. Both guys tie up, then Mosley absolutely tags him and UNBELIEVABLY Margarito goes down!!! Mosley loads up right hands and sharp combinations over and over! He drives Margarito around the ring and he stumbles. 80-71 based on the 10-8 round.

Margarito is totally defensive. Mosley WINS BY KO!!! drops Margarito with bombs as the referee steps in to stop it. True KO for Mosley. What do you think of the welterweight division? Wow! Like Emmanuel Steward, I am "totally impressed". Mosley is a finisher and he came out, touched gloves and started to stalk his prey. It took him 40 seconds into the ninth to finish him.

"This is what's so great about boxing!" Emmanuel, I couldn't agree more. What an upset. Mosley comes in a 4-1 underdog to the guy who absolutely destroyed the unbeatable Cotto...and knocks him out.

Not to take anything away from Shane, I can't help but wonder if Margarito cheated against Cotto. I want to see Margarito rematch Cotto. Anyway...I'm consistently impressed with the professionalism of Mosley. A left put Margarito in trouble and Mosley finished strong.

What a division this welterweight division is. Now let's bring on Pacquiao/Hatton! Winner rematches Mayweather.