COTTO-HATTON: YOUR VERDICT?

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 29 Feb 2004, 03:24

As much as I'm pleased that Ricky has finally ascended to a world-class level, it looks more and more like he's never going to be the main star in this division.
While I haven't seen Cotto's performance last night, from reading up on it it really does look like he's poised to be the superstar of this particular division.
As much as I hate to say it, as highly as I rate Ricky I can't see him living with Cotto. Am I being too negative, as I know some of you think Cotto hasn't been properly tested/put on the back foot yet?
Maybe the best hope for Ricky is that Cotto moves up in weight, as he's still young so will presumably outgrow the light-welters. Does anyone know if he's experienced any weight-making difficulties to date?

Sweet P · Post by **Sweet P** » 29 Feb 2004, 03:32

Cotto is a superstar and will take over from Tszyu as the dominant fighter in this division. It would be a great fight between him and Hatton but i think he may beat Hatton on cuts or late KO. Hatton has yet to fight a really skilled fighter how will not just let him unload to there body and slow them down.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 29 Feb 2004, 06:25

Cotto hasn't been in against a a pressure fighter yet (a good enough one anyway). With Hatton being the only top quality pressure fighter in the division we just don't know how Cotto will fight on the back foot until he gets in with Ricky.
My guess is he'll be able to cope with Hatton because he has a very tight defense and can throw fast, accurate combinations. It's a style that will cause Ricky problems, especially cuts related problems.
I still believe that these will be the top two in this division before next summer, with a fight between them not too long after that. Hopefully.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 29 Feb 2004, 06:32

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 29 Feb 2004, 08:19

Cotto looked a tremendous talent in there. Took a very good right hand in the 2nd round so I think his chin is ok too.
I'd probably go for him to beat Hatton even now - he looks that good, a real special talent.
Showed he can throw big punches while backing up too, which might be the key to beating Hatton.
Great fight when it happens.

richter-scale · Post by **richter-scale** » 29 Feb 2004, 08:38

Didn't Hattons next opponent (pinto) conquer cotto in the amature ranks? i'm likeing the way hatton is adapting and think he really would take some beating. he's got alot of veriaty in his arsenal. and what with that workrate i have to chose the HIT-MAN!

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 29 Feb 2004, 10:44

Cotto is someone else I have been following for some while and im not sure of the result at this stage but in the future Cotto will without doubt dismantle the Hitman.

Mark my words if these two meet say between 2-3 years time Hatton will be on the end of a beating in a fight of the year.

HH

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 29 Feb 2004, 12:54

I love Hatton, but I gotta agree with that.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 29 Feb 2004, 15:28

as good as i think hatton is

a guy has emerged who is so special he would beat hatton quite easily.

i think hatton can beat every1 out there judah, mayweather, tszyu, mitchell bring em all on but leave cotto well alone.

hide · Post by **hide** » 29 Feb 2004, 16:23

I think in this case Hatton will have to seattle with 2nd place,unless Cotto moves up a weight

richter-scale · Post by **richter-scale** » 29 Feb 2004, 17:06

Floyd mayweather is in a totally different league to the lot of them

He's a ledgend in the making. i'v NEVER seen defensive skills like it. The others will all have to battle out for SECOND place

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 29 Feb 2004, 18:14

Yeh but Mayweather doesn't plan on sticking around at the weight for too long. He just wants to pick his opponents. And anyway, Cotto may be way too big and strong for Mayweather. Just look at Castillo (a much smaller and weaker man and less talented than Cotto) and what he did to Mayweather.

J · Post by J » 01 Mar 2004, 06:06

cotto was awesome at the weekend and he is really looking every part the superstar but Sosa blatnetly didnt have the punch power to keep him at bay, normally a lightweight who got beat by spadafora and only in his second bout at light welter against cotto, what does that tell you? Careful match making again
Cotto undoubtedly is the better boxer than hatton in terms of skills defence etc but he still hasnt been in with someone who will put him under pressure but that will come in time. not sure if Pinto beat Cotto but know thatabdulleav diud in the olympics final but that means eff all. If they met now I say Hatton wins due to experience and better class of opponent, whether I will say the same in 12 months time I dunno. Though have to say Cotto looks like he will fill out a bit cant see him staying at light welter for more than 24 months.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 01 Mar 2004, 06:08

Yes and Sosa seems a good guideline as to how Floyd will do at 140. He gave Pretty Boy a pretty good fight, but was never at the races vs. Cotto -just blown away.
Makes me think Mayweather is really going to struggle at 140, let alone light middle.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Mar 2004, 06:14

I have been saying for ages that Floyd is going to struggle when he moves up, he just won't be a big enough puncher.

He will do OK against lighter hitters at Jr Welter like Corley, or even Spinks at Welter, but against big bangers like Gatti, he could be in for trouble.

The bigger hitters, although they will struggle to get to him, will be able to walk through Floyd's best work, and if they connect, he's in trouble.

Floyd is a fantastic fighter, but he's not a big puncher with single shots, and that will cost him as he moves up.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 01 Mar 2004, 06:21

"I have been saying for ages that Floyd is going to struggle when he moves up, he just won't be a big enough puncher."

Sweet Pea did it, but as nimble as he is, is Floyd as Nimble as Pea? I don't know.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Mar 2004, 06:26

Sweet pea actually had underrated power.

When he did actually plant his feet, he hit hard enough to stop people in their tracks, just didn't do it very often.

I also think 'pea' had greater economy of movement that Floyd. Floyd takes himself out of punching position a lot more than Pernell did in my opinion.

Whittaker is one of my all time favourites, along with McCallum and Duran.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 01 Mar 2004, 12:29

I agree with that.

richter-scale · Post by **richter-scale** » 01 Mar 2004, 14:36

Well iv just watched the cotto fight. WOW he did a number on the guy. class. a pleasure to watch. your right he's an handfull alright

unlike young chavez. poor bugers got a bit too much to live up to.

still... COTTO, CLASS!!!

scurlaruntings · Post by **scurlaruntings** » 01 Mar 2004, 20:34

hatton as iv always said doesnt stand a chance.the only way to beat cotto is to box n move n that would prove extremely difficult for hatton let alone a fighter of PFB`s quality.( will arum let his 2 poster boys meet? I DNT THINK SO

)hatton knows how to fight only one way..his tactics worked perfectly against tackie but against cotto he doesnt have a hope.he`ll get stopped within 5 rounds in an explosive battle.cotto reminds me alot of a young tyson with the way he fights out of his high guard n the superb way he cuts dwn the ring.hatton n cotto are definilty on a collision course if hatton opts for the WBO route n for a fact he would be stopped by cotto despite what billy graham thinks