Cotto still doesn't trust Margarito

Antonio Margarito still denies he knew anything about the illegal wraps that were discovered on his hand just before his fight against Shane Mosley. And his promoter, Bob Arum, still defends him.

Miguel Cotto typically takes the high road whenever  he's asked if Magarito used loaded hand wraps when the two fought in 2008. Magarito handed Cotto his first loss with an 11th-round TKO in Las Vegas.

“The only one who can answer that question is him and the people over there,” said Cotto.

Cotto and Margarito will meet for the second time on December 3 at Madison Square Garden on HBO PPV.

We learned a lot at Tuesday’s press conference at the Edison Ballroom. Most importantly, we learned that what Cotto feels is different than what he actually says.

Need proof? Top Rank boss Bob Arum said it was suggested that the two have an additional weigh-in on the day of their fight. The two also agreed to fight at a maximum weight of 153 lbs. The fight was initially to be contested at 150. Both requests were made by Cotto’s camp.

“I don’t know why Cotto wanted to make the fight at 150,” Margarito said through an interpreter. “Then it was at 152 and now at 153.”

Cotto said he felt as if Margarito could easily make the weight request since he fought at 147 against Manny Pacquiao. That may suffice as an answer for the weight question, but it doesn’t give any insight into why Cotto would request a weigh-in the day of the fight.

The suggestion makes it apparent Cotto still doesn’t trust Margarito.

Cotto added more fuel to the fire when he showed a picture on his IPhone of Margarito's left hand shortly after a fight. The picture showed Margarito's hand in a wrap that appeared to be cracked. Cotto said he received the pitcure in an email earlier this year. He didn't say who sent him the photo. 

Making matters even more complicated, Arum announced a new idea for New York State Athletic Commission Chairperson Melvina Lathan to ponder.

Arum suggested that following the weigh-in both fighters turn over the wraps and pads they plan to use on the night of the fight. The wraps and pads will be held in a special suitcase and given to the athletic commission and returned when the fighters arrive in the dressing room on fight night.

If the New York Athletic Commission cooperates with Arum's plan, he said: “One issue that will not be present after this fight will be the question of hand wraps."

It’s a bold move on the part of Arum, who has taken some heat for vigorously defending Margarito. The athletic commission wasn’t so fast to commit, though.

“We’ll discuss it,” Lathan said to Arum.