« A Framework for Understanding Poverty | Home | Judah’s Christmas Wish List »
By Jeremy | December 5, 2006
Last June, I sat in a house full of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico watching the rising Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto take on brash Brooklyn boxer Paul "Magic Man" Malignaggi in Madison Square Garden. Seconds into the first round, a Cotto headbutt gashed Paulie's face, just above his left eye. The fight appeared to be over before it began, with blood gushing from the wound.
Although Cotto took advantage of the gash for the rest of the fight, jabbing it repeatedly, a determined Paulie refused to quit. Later in the fight, Cotto appeared to break Paulie's jaw, as his right cheek swelled dramatically after a left hook. But Paulie stayed on his feet, taking Cotto the distance, and in the process earned the respect of fight fans around the world, including that Puerto Rican household of Del Rios.
Only later did we find out that my sister Mei-Ling was watching the same fight in Brooklyn with Malignaggi's family, as her boyfriend Peter was part of Magic Man's corner team.
[Paulie, before and after his fight with Cotto]
Which brings me to this weekend. Cotto was fighting for the first time as a welterweight (147 lbs.), and Mei-Ling invited my brothers and me to watch the fight at her place, with Peter and Paul and an apartment full of Malignaggi fans. It was surreal to watch a fight with a professional boxer who also happened to be one of the fighter's last opponent, and who was referred to repeatedly throughout the match with admiration for his toughness. Even more surreal, Malignaggi and crew were rooting for a Cotto victory, which came with a 5th round TKO. Rematch, anyone?
Although he has a reputation for being cocky outside the ring and flamboyant inside it, Malignaggi came across as down to earth and real Saturday night. This Puerto Rican will be rooting for him when he fights again in February.
Topics: boxing, paul malignaggi, sports | No Comments »
Comments are closed.
Welcome to the professional website and personal weblog of Jeremy Del Rio. Whether you're a client, friend, or curious onlooker, please don't stay a spectator. Engage the conversation. Your contributions matter here.
(Two chapters)
(Commentary throughout)
(Study questions throughout)
