ESPN made history this past Saturday night, April 23rd, with its first ever PPV boxing event. Many boxing fans were critical of the quality of the fights being offered for the money, particularly after the Juan Diaz - Ebo Elder match up fell through due to a Diaz training injury. Others couldn't wait until Saturday night to see who was the better man in the bouts being offered. Yours truly fell somewhere in between... 

I must confess that one bout really had my attention though, and actually, it was the only reason why I took in the PPV. In case you are wondering, the fight I really wanted to see was the much anticipated war between Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito.

Have you ever noticed how boxing fans, (me included), seem to have a serious need to be right about their hunches, their perception of certain fighters? Well, the Margarito-Cintron encounter somewhat represented that need for me... Let's face it, it's no secret that Main Events has been accused of rushing some of their young talent, i.e. Fernando Vargas and Panchito Bojado, and while it wouldn't be fair to say they have rushed Kermit Cintron, one had to wonder what were they thinking when they made this fight.  

Kermit Cintron reportedly had surgery on his right hand. He had been out of circulation for nine months. To have Cintron come back from surgery and such an extended lay off to face a fighter of the caliber of Antonio Margarito, in my humble opinion, was outrageous and very dangerous, not to mention downright disrespectful of the champ. I couldn't wait until the fight played itself out to see if my perception was right.  

It was reported shortly before fight time that Cintron had remained locked up in his hotel room all day, while Margarito had been seen out and about, relaxed and confident. Someone from the telecast commented how that was not a good sign. The ring entrance showed a somewhat tight Cintron and a very relaxed Margarito; once again, not a good sign. And so they went at it; finally, at last, it was on!!! 

The first round was a feeling out round, not much happened, but you could sense that the boy was going to be separated from the man before the end of the night. Margarito had a very good second round, scoring with solid combinations, working head and body well.  Cintron had some connects, but nothing that made Margarito take notice.

Round three sees Margarito connecting center ring. He is sharp, assertive and taking charge in no uncertain way. Cintron is cut in an exchange, over his right eye; the blood gushes out. Cintron seems at a loss... Somehow I sensed the end was near; just a matter of time I thought to myself... 

Let me add a side note here... One of the most pleasant surprises of the evening was the super job Sugar Ray Leonard did as a special on-site analyst. His insights and comments were on point, and he was very professional and pleasant in his delivery, unlike some of the competition. Back to the action... It was after the third round that Leonard said, and I quote, "Margarito is starting to lay the ground work. Cintron is still trying to find his way."  I thought that summed it up well. At the end of the third round Cintron's corner works on the cut, and on the psyche... "You gotta step around. You gotta pump that jab," they tell him. Cintron seems overwhelmed...  

To the chant of "Mexico, Mexico" Margarito goes to work in round 4. He puts Cintron down at a minute and change into the round, and again with 40 some seconds left in the round. The beating has began, the end is definitely near. 

Cintron's corner is in a state of slight agitation, certainly concerned. "I need some legs. It ain't over until is over," he is told as they prepare him for round 5.  

Margarito smells blood and he comes out like a possessed man. He swarms Cintron, who doesn't seem to have an answer, no matter how many instructions he has been given. Kermit goes down twice in the round, and much to his corner's credit, they signal the referee to stop the beating. Kenny Bayless does exactly that, the fight is officially over at 2:12 of round 5. I think it's fair to say the questions have now been answered. But wait, Cintron is crying in his corner, inconsolably; not quite "The Killer" image that has been hyped for quite some time...  

Once again Leonard breaks it down; Ray says that Cintron was 'psychologically, mentally discouraged, separated from himself..." And when Kermit is interviewed, still in his corner, he struggles to come up with answers, finally saying, "I mean, I don't know what to say. In five years look how far I got. I'll be back."  

It was at this point that memories of a conversation I had with Don Felix Trinidad, Sr. back in May of 2001 came to mind. No, of course we didn't talk about Kermit Cintron, but we did discuss a young man named Fernando 'El Feroz' Vargas. Don Felix told me then, referring to Vargas' people, that...  "Sometimes they ruin fighters, good fighters, because Vargas was a good fighter. They threw him at Tito, and they damaged him." Don Felix added,  "That's why every time they asked me what is it that bothers me the most about Vargas, I always said "his ignorance." Because ignorance is daring and when a person ignores that there are consequences, it can prove to be a mistake."

Will Cintron be damaged goods after this fight? I don't know, I certainly hope not, but looking back at past history, well, let's just say I rest my case...

Questions and comments can be emailed to Elisa Harrison