Cotto, Margarito set grudge match at MSG

Boxing returns to Madison Square Garden on Dec. 3 with one of the biggest grudge matches in recent history -- a rematch between WBA light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. Cotto suffered the first loss of his career three years ago against Margarito, who is under a cloud of suspicion for using loaded gloves in that fight after being caught doing that in a subsequent bout against Shane Mosley and being suspended for a year.

Asked if Cotto (36-2, 29 KOs) had any reservations about fighting Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs) again, Top Rank's Carl Moretti said, "Initially, he wanted to see what else was available. But this was the biggest fight out there, and he has the chance to avenge that loss. It's a big pay-per-view fight."

Moretti said no decision has been made yet as to whether the fight will be carried by HBO or Showtime, but he's expecting a crowd of 17,000 for the first boxing event at MSG after the initial stage of the renovation project this summer. Cotto has been a Garden staple because of his strong Puerto Rican following, and Moretti said Margarito should attract a large contingent of Mexican fans.

"It makes sense because the Garden hasn't had a big fight since Cotto-Joshua Clottey two years ago, and it's Cotto's home away from home," Moretti said. "It keeps the Mexican-Puerto Rican rivalry going. Cotto is the guy who sells the most tickets in New York. It's a natural. It should be an unbelievable atmosphere."

Margarito left Cotto badly battered on his way to an 11th-round TKO on July 26, 2008 in Las Vegas. Suspicions about that bout arose after Margarito was found to have plaster in his hand wraps before a loss to Mosley in his next bout. Since serving his suspension, Margarito has a decision over Robert Garcia and a loss by decision against Manny Pacquiao. Cotto won his 154-pound title over Yuri Foreman a year ago at Yankee Stadium and has defended it once.

Tickets will be scaled from $600 for ringside down to $400, $300, $200, $100 and $50.