Puerto Rico-Mexico rivalry packs a real punch
Depending on who's doing the counting, there have been nearly five dozen world title fights between boxers from Mexico and Puerto Rico and most have been classic brawls, writes Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times.
"In other countries people go crazy to see a soccer game between Spain and Italy, Italy and England," said boxing writer Gerardo Fernandez of the Puerto Rican daily Primera Hora. "Well, it's the same ambience for a boxing match between Mexico and Puerto Rico."
It's not hard to figure out why. They are Latin American lands with similar backgrounds and cultures. And in both lands, boxing is revered.
More about the intense boxing rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico...
-- Deborah Bonello in Los Angeles
Photo: Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico will take his colors and pride into the ring when he battles Mexico's Antonio Margarito for the world welterweight crown on July 26.
Credit: Miguel Maldonado / For The Times
