Sugar Ray expecting 'classic' Cotto fight

The great Sugar Ray Leonard predicts great things for WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, should he defeat Antonio Margarito in Las Vegas.

The bout is being billed as one of the biggest of the year and Leonard said: "I think Cotto is on the way and he needs a guy like Margarito to seal the impression."

Leonard, who won titles in five weight divisions after claiming Olympic gold in 1976, has been following Cotto's career with interest.

He said: "I've been impressed with that young man for years.

"I've watched him grow, I've watched him develop, I think the thing I'm most impressed with is his confidence and his concentration - he is like the Terminator.

"He has no expression - the perfect thing with that is that you can never tell if you've got him frustrated, even when he's hurt, he keeps the same face and expression."

One thing that particularly impresses Leonard about Cotto, who has a remarkable 32-0 with 26 knockouts record, is the Puerto Rican's body punching.

While promoters have not revealed the boxer's purses, it is expected that fight favourite Cotto will be paid in excess of $6 million (£3 million).

Boxing historian Bert Sugar favours the Tijuana Tornado, who goes into the fight as underdog.

"I'm picking Margarito," he said.

"Styles make fights, and Cotto leans forward as he comes in - that leaves him vulnerable to a left uppercut, which is Margarito's best punch."

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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