Cotto. Is he really that good?

[Lefthookhappy19]

A Cotto/Mayweather fight would be very interesting. Remember what happened to the usually tough Sosa when he stepped up and fought Cotto, these lighter guys might not be able to take the power. If Cotto managed to get Mayweather against the ropes he going to go to head and body very hard, Floyd can't block them all.

[Manos de Oro]

Good topic, this needs to be discussed at this stage of Cotto's development. He's by no means superman - yet - and I feel a fight against someone like Harris or Urkal should come early next year to set him up for a superfight in late 2005 against the likes of Mayweather, Mitchell, or Tszyu. I think a fight against Mitchell next winter is definately winnable for Cotto, though by no means a certainty for him; a Tszyu fight would be too soon even next winter I feel, they should maybe make it the year after that, though if Tszyu looks in any way a depleted fighter against Mitchell (but still wins) it's a winnable fight.

Mayweather - this may be controversial, but I think Cotto can stop him late. I met Cotto last Friday and put my arm round his shoulder and was shocked at how built he was. I saw Mayweather up close too and actually think this one could be a mis-match in terms of strength/size. Mayweather, of course, is good enough to win regardless, but I think if Cotto can find his distance and fight an inside game versus Mayweather (thumping him in ribs, uppercuts, etc) he can ultimately stop him late. It sounds so easy...

[Lefthookhappy19]

A Mayweather fight is definately winnable for Cotto. The way he switches from head to body will be hard for Mayweather to block, he will be against the ropes at some point. Also Floyd would struggle to keep him away. He had to pepper Corely with shots to have any effect. I highly doubt he would be as offensive against Cotto. Corley stunned him a couple of times in that fight as well. Its hard to see Floyd taking that left hook to the body with his smaller frame, taking heavy shots to the arms is going to hurt as well when Floyd goes into defensive mode.

[Southpaw Stylist]

Mayweather is PROVEN quality and an out and out boxer, I can't see Cotto winning.

The difference with Mayweather and anyone else is that Mayweather would come to the ring with a definite gameplan and has the sense to stick to it.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think that whilst Cotto is no more proven than Hatton, he is no less proven either.

Would you therefore conclude he's AS proven perchance?

By jingo! I think you may be on to something!

[Kilburn]

If Cotto & Floyd were two super featherwights I'd pick Mayweather every time (as I would over most fighters), but this is Cotto's division. I'd make him a strong favourite based on what I've seen so far.

[Jedi Knight]

A legend in the making? I'm not as convinced as i once was. The Pinto fight has left me with as many questions as answers.

Yes, the finish was superb, as were most of the shots he threw. His defence was good, he hardly got tagged with a decent shot all night. His attitude, patience, and general temperament were excellent aswell.

Having said all that, there are what appears to be several deficiencies to his game. When Pinto actually boxed, instead of standing stationary, right in front of Cotto, there were definite signs that it was a tactic that could work. The jab was the one shot which consistantly got through, and Cotto looked almost pedestrian at times when hunting Pinto down. I'm sure that Pinto could have done better (for himself, but maybe not the fans) if he'd have tried to keep the fight at long range. Instead he chose to mix his boxing with a bit of brawling, and paid the price.

Cotto was also overly economical with his punches for my liking. There were extended periods of the fight where he was doing very little. The bad thing for Pinto was the fact that his chin wasn't good enough to stand up to single shots form Cotto.

The combination of the two isn't exactly a new thing for Cotto either. He lost rounds to N'Dou, and even to a lesser extent Sosa, because they were outworking him, and at times out-boxing him. Looking at the lightwelter division, you can already pick out the guys that will cause him problems. Mitchell would be a nightmare opponent i think, Mayweather would also be a struggle. Of course, on the other hand, you can pick out the guys he'd do well against, Gatti is made for Cotto, as is Hatton i feel.

On a side note, it finally brings to an end people saying that Pinto chickened out of the Hatton fight. If he was a coward he wouldn't have fought Cotto (a better fighter) in his backyard. It begs the question, what really went on there?

Sorry Glittermonkey but I think that post is harsh. Cotto showed superb accuracy, footwork and defence against a hungry puncher.

I also think it's harsh to play down victories over N'Dou & Sosa. Both dangerous top ten fighters, N'Dou especially.

From what I've seen so far from Cotto, Ricky will have to be in supreme form to have a chance, otherwise Cotto will pick him off and take him out either on cuts or TKO.

[glittermonkey]

I don't see it as harsh though. It's basically in response to the glut of "Cotto's going to be a legend" talk that's been spouted. All i'm basically saying is that he does have faults, and i can definitely see ways in which he could potentially be beaten.

Also i'm not playing down victories against Sosa, N'Dou, or Pinto. They are good wins against good opponents. But even during these fights, there's been little worrying signs.

He could mature into the best fighter in the division (he looks to have almost everything), but there are things that he needs to iron out before he faces the real challenges. If he doesn't improve on the weak points, then he'll suffer when he steps up to the highest level.

[theguru]

After watching Cotto against Pinto I am convinced Witter would beat him

[Kilburn]

Even though it's been 4 years since Witter went past 6 rounds? Cotto would probably have more trouble with Witter than he would Hatton but he definitely be the last man standing.

[Smit]

After watching Cotto against Pinto I am convinced Witter would beat him

Speaking of Witter... when on earth is he fighting again? I would have thought he'd have had a fight since his EBU title fight back in June.

[StepinFetchit]

He's the next superstar no question.

Can he box - yes

Can he punch - yes

Can he move - yes

Is he quick - yes

Can he hold a shot - yes

Is he fearless - yes

Is his defence good - yes

Does he have stamina - yes

Has he fought good opp - yes

Is he two years younger, had half the fights and hold a more prestigious belt than his closest rival prospect? - Definite yes.

His tactics and defence against Pinto were awesome. Good head movement, tight guard, low chin, movement from the hips, great combintions, solid work ethic, the kid has few weaknesses.

Stop hating - start loving.

Wot u mean NEXT superstar?.......he already is, some of you bandwagon jumping ***s need kicking in the nuts....i recall some of you a few month ago saying Mark Dobson would have a chance against David Haye....now all the so-called self appointed"experts" are proclaiming him as the next Heavyweight Champ.........i know this for a fact because i was one of only a couple that used to be vocal against the drivel that used to frequent the boxing forums from Chris Aston.

Now come on Payne, write something for me in the way only you can, the style of Shakespeare and the merit of Peter Mandelson.

[lefthook82]

@stepinfetchit

The post is over 3 years old

[hitman_hatton1]

@stepinfetchit

The post is over 3 years old

i was gonna say.

pretty damn good prediction from payney.

i've only tipped cotto to lose the one fight against quintana.

but he threw that back in my face and pasted quintana.

[StepinFetchit]

@stepinfetchit

The post is over 3 years old

Fair play,my mistake i thought this was some more mindless crap that had recently been posted, if it was then it would have richly deserved everything i wrote.

[Asterix]

After watching Cotto against Pinto I am convinced Witter would beat him

Like hell he would.

Red Med, why bring up such old topics???

[Chambers2]

Cotto's definately a legend in the making, especially now hes moved up in weight which looks to have solided his chin, it looked alot better in the Mosely fight to when he was at 140.

Cotto's very precise, powerful and has excellent timing, which is a dangerous offensive combination. I expect him to go thru the weight classes.

Love to see him in with Mayweather, he's the only one who I'd give a chance of beating Floyd at 147

[ALI]

Cotto is the man to beat Mayweather, and I believe that Mayweather fears fighting him.

Cotto would butcher Hatton, he would rip the hitman's entire reputation apart in 2 or 3 onesided brutal rounds. And thats comming from a big Hatton fan!

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Cotto is the man to beat Mayweather, and I believe that Mayweather fears fighting him.

Cotto would butcher Hatton, he would rip the hitman's entire reputation apart in 2 or 3 onesided brutal rounds. And thats comming from a big Hatton fan!

In 2005 I thought Cotto would be the easiest match up for Mayweather from HAtton, Judah, Delahoya. I stick by that, Cotto is easy to hit, has a predictable arsenal, is slow of foot with average hand speed. Team Cotto avoided Mayweather throughout 2005 when the fight was on the table

Mayweather-Cotto looks like Mayweather-Corrales

[Autobarn]

I think Cotto would have a lot more answers than Corrales had, which was none.

Cotto would do better than Hatton, because he is calm, hits with more venom and accuracy, and won't burn himself out.

Cotto-Mayweather could be more like Mayweather-Castillo 1. Castillo troubled Mayweather but was that little bit too slow. Cotto has that extra level of flair and handspeed, when he hits in combos and switches stances etc.

Cotto def is easy to hit. But Mayweather would be at his most cautious in a fight like that.

IMO Miguel was no way ready in 2005. Now, after Quintana, Judah and Mosley, in which he beat some pretty fast/skilled guys, he will be at his most prepared.

[jamesmcdonnell]

In Cotto's favour is his temperament. He is a very calm fighter, even when under pressure or badly hurt, and fights with purpose in a methodical manner.

Cotto absolutely chewed up Judah, in what I thought was an incredibly measured and vindicitive performance. You could see him picking Judah's wings off round by round.

I would still make Mayweather favourite, but not by a big margin. I think Mayweather could probably pick and poke his way to a win, but no way would he be able to take the liberties with Cotto he did with Hatton.

Shame the fight will probably never get made. The only way Cotto gets the fight is if he fought and beat somene like DLH, and that seems very unlikely to happen.

[The Maniac]

He is good at what he does he has great heart, stays low, keeps his head and body moving during exchanges. Is tough as nails and hits hard. And not to forget a tremendous bodypuncher I dont see him defeating a Mayweather. Though I do see him beating guys like Hatton, Castillo, Margerito & Williams.

The Mayweather fight would be very close though but I just dont see Cotto figuring out the technical finesse,handspeed, defense and and ring
strategy of PBF.

[Arbachakov]

Cotto is nothing particularly special.

He's a serviceable world class Welterweight and one of the better around just now at that weight range.

To be honest, i don't think there has been a really good talented natural Welter in years.

[steve689]

I totally disagree. Cotto is a class above most of the Welterweights and can become a huge star.

So long as they feed him the right opposition. Judah-Mosley-Gomez-Mayorga?!

Talk about two steps forward, two steps back.

[Captain Hook]

I think Pinto & N'Dou would comfortably beat all the guys Hatton has faced.

Are you fornicating kidding? They wouldn't have beaten Castillo or Tszyu.