Rivals tread well-worn path

Down through the years, the rivalry between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters has become one of boxing's most dependable traditions.

The list of grudge matches is long and glorious: Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Hector Camacho, Felix Trinidad vs. Antonio Vargas, Trinidad vs. Oscar De La Hoya, Carlos Zarate vs. Wilfredo Gomez, Antonio Cervantes vs. Wilfred Benitez.

Instead of fighter vs. fighter, these bouts seemed to transcend boxing and become country vs. country.

Another chapter in the rivalry will be written tonight when challenger Antonio Margarito of Tijuana attempts to hand Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto his first loss and take his WBA welterweight belt. Both fighters realize it's not just about them and say they understand the added pressure that will accompany them into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden.

"There have been so many great fights that everyone gets so excited about it and everyone wants to see it," Margarito said. "But I am not looking at it as Mexico against Puerto Rico. I am just looking at it that it will be a great fight."

Cotto said: "Anytime you have a Puerto Rican and a Mexican fight, it makes me think of the Gomez-(Salvador) Sanchez fight and the (Lupe) Pintor-Gomez fight and the Oscar De La Hoya-Trinidad fight. Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito will put this fight at the same level as those."

While concepts such as heart and desire are intangibles in most fights, that's rarely the case in a Mexico-Puerto Rico bout. Margarito quickly agreed last week when a reporter from Mexico told him that Mexican fighters have more heart than Puerto Rican fighters.

"All of the Mexicans, when they get up into the ring, are going to give it their all," Margarito said. "They are going to do whatever it takes to win, even if they have to die in the ring. But I'll tell you one thing: I think Cotto can fit into that same category."

Margarito (36-5, 26 knockouts) said he is often approached by countrymen who remind him he is fighting for them as well as himself.

"I don't feel there's added pressure on me," he said. "I'm happy with the position I'm in."

Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs) said he feels a sense of pride when his countrymen tell him that he's fighting for Puerto Rico.

"Every time the people come to me, they say how important it is for me to win," Cotto said. "I feel good when they do that."

Cotto remains a big betting favorite at minus-260, with Margarito at plus-220.

"This is my biggest fight so far," said Cotto, who will make $3 million. "I will use whatever I need to use to win this fight. I can't tell you what style I will have to use, and until I get into the ring I don't know what style will win this fight."

Margarito, who will get $1.5 million, said, "Ever since I signed this fight against Cotto, I was very aware that it was a Mexican against a Puerto Rican, and that makes it a very important fight, a special fight. I am glad I am getting an opportunity, and it will be another great chapter of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico."