NEW YORK - – Miguel Cotto remembers the night he spent in the hospital, his late father Miguel Sr., who passed away last December, offering his son comforting words after the brutal beating he got at the hands of Antonio Margarito that night in Las Vegas.
But on Tuesday afternoon while at a workout open to the media, Cotto remained calm about the December 3 rematch as he showed off pictures that allegedly depict the plaster he says Margarito used to illegally wrap his hands when the boxers first faught in 2008.
An allegation Margarito vehemently denies.
"This time things will be different," Cotto said in a Boxing Scene interview. "The fight won't be the same. He won't be the same. He doesn't have the plaster. He won't be the same without the plaster."
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Cotto said he didn't have any personal feelings at stake in beating Margarito. When asked if he wanted to win the fight by way of knockout, Cotto said a "win is a win."
We can't bring our personal feelings to our profession because then we will have problems. We're moving forward.
"We're working well. We've been working for more than anything to get the win and that's how it will be this Saturday," Cotto told reporters.
"We can't bring our personal feelings to our profession because then we will have problems. We're moving forward."
But a day later after his workout at Trinity Gym, Cotto reversed course and verbally attacked Margarito for actions he has continued to firmly denied.
"You are a shame to the boxing world," said Cotto, while referring to Margarito as a criminal and accusing once again of knowing that his hands were illegally wrapped.
Cotto looks to improve to 7-0 while fighting at Madison Square Garden and he will be fighting in front of a crowd that has always backed him.
"It's a great fight. A fight the public has been waiting for. They've never demonstrated the contrary by rooting against my opponent. This time the same thing will happen," he said.
Miguel Cotto Hopes Win over Mayorga Will Lead to Pacquiao
Cotto's mother, Juana, didn't get into a war of words with the Margarito camp either. All she cares about is a favorable result. She said her son is determined to come out on top even if her husband of 40 years is not around to see it this time.
"I hope the rematch goes his way. He's always been missed," she said of her late husband.
A lot has been made of the fact that Cotto is fighting with his third different trainer since 2008 recently replacing Hall of Famer Emmanuel Steward with Pedro Luis Diaz who has known Cotto for quite a few years now.
He had an ugly split with his uncle, Evangelista Cotto, and replaced him with assistant trainer Joe Santiago to run his corner for two fights. After Manny Pacquiao beat him in November 2009 he ditched him and hooked up with Steward who led him to two wins over Yuri Foreman and Ricardo Mayorga.
"Pedro is a student of the sport. I trust Pedro and I've known Pedro for many years. I know that by putting myself in his hands, we'll be able to get the win," Cotto said.
Diaz, who first saw Cotto win gold at the Pan Am games as a 17-year-old boxer, promised: "You are going to see the same Cotto." But with one critical difference: "He will win the fight."
Adry Torres, who has covered MLB, NFL, NBA and NCAA basketball games and related events, is a regular contributor to Fox News Latino. He can be reached at elpiloto137@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter: @adrytorresnyc.
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