BoxRec

One thing you all are missing when comparing the records of Hatton-Cotto is that Ricky was never a senior amateur..he turned pro after Jnr level..Cotto went to the olympics and was more experienced/ physically mature after his initial bouts

Fine pocket but how much genuine improvement has Hatton made over the last 2 years? If they're not careful he'll be on the slide just when he needs his top form the most.

Hopefully Pinto is the beginning of a serious assualt on a world title.

Oh I agree Kilburn..the point I am making is that people talk like Hatton should have been fighting the top names after 15 fights and comparing him to Cotto..differant kettle of fish..

And Yes, after Magee we shouldnt have had Hutchinson and Rios, although Phillips and Tackie have been a step up..I want to see Cotto fight Tackie or someone of that ilk, that would be a true test

I think both have been brought along at the appropriate pace, I credit FW for now bucking the trend of one easy/one hard with Hatton's next fight. Its now time for him to have hard fight after hard fight.

I have no problem with Hatton's opponents, Calzaghe now.....

thepocketrocket wrote:Oh I agree Kilburn..the point I am making is that people talk like Hatton should have been fighting the top names after 15 fights and comparing him to Cotto..differant kettle of fish..

And Yes, after Magee we shouldnt have had Hutchinson and Rios, although Phillips and Tackie have been a step up..I want to see Cotto fight Tackie or someone of that ilk, that would be a true test

Yes the criticism has always stemmed from the lack of momentum in Hattons career, for such good fighter and big name in Britian.

Oi where is Mr Dunne these days?

totally agree with the previous posts, i cant see Cotto still being a light welter in say 18 months 2 years time though so think they would have to match the two of them in the next year or so if it were to come off.
I argued prior to cotto's last fight that he hadnt fought better opponents than Hatton but mysteriously some were of the opinion that this wasnt the case, ok you can fight ex world contender lightweights but hatton has been fighting ex world contender light welters, which as we know are gonna carry more threat. Pinto for example is a more dangerous match than Sosa, who didnt have anything to keep cotto at bay, even the shot in the second round Cotto blinked and carried on. I for one am much happier to see Pinto on the bill at the MEN and not spadafora for example.

I, much as everyone else it seems, was well impressed with Cotto. I thought Sosa would try and put it on him like he tried to do to PBF. I think as soon as he felt the power he thought better of it. I was surprised at how much smaller he was becuase he looked like a big LW fighting Floyd.

Anyway it's true that we haven't seen Cotto put under pressure but he seemed just as comfortable landing big shots on the back foot as going forward.
His accuracy seems to negate the need to up his workrate and swarm over an opponent to get the stoppage. There's never been any questions raised over his stamina so i can only believe he could do it if required.

Unless Ricky could put him in fear of his power and on the defensive for the whole 12 i could only see him being picked apart and stopped mid to late rounds on cuts.

Cotto's opponents haven't been that impressive yet but the fact is he seems to doesn't ever seem to put a foot wrong. That's why he's the most exciting prospect in boxing for many a year.

With Cotto it's also worth pointing out that not too long ago there was some uncertainty about whether he would campaign at lightweight or light-welter. Look at the Juuko fight - 138 for that one.

Could partly explain why he's been fighting the likes of Bazan and Sosa up to now.

A piece from http://www.irish-boxing.com

February 12th, 2004 - by Tomás Rohan

Top featherweight prospect Bernard Dunne looks set for yet another busy year. The Los Angeles based Dubliner has not fought since recording his tenth straight victory in the paid ranks back in November. On that occasion Dunne had to climb off the floor for the first time in his career to record a six rounds points win over tough Mexican, Alejandro Cruz Ramirez.

Dunne will begin his 2004 campaign with another Mexican in the opposite corner as he tackles 25 year old Orlando Soto on March 12th. The contest will take place over 6 or 8 rounds (depending on the TV requirements) and will be held in San Jose, California.

Should Dunne emerge unscathed from his bout with Soto he will then go on top the bill at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin, California just two weeks later. The card is an annual charitable event supported by actor and now governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Dunne appeared on the same card last year where he recorded a four rounds points win over Oscar Villa and Schwarzenegger was so impressed by the man he termed the "Irish De La Hoya" that he wanted him to headline the event this year.

Dunne and his management team were delighted to accept Governor Schwarzenegger's invitation and is set to meet 32 year old Angelo Torres over 8 rounds.

On paper neither Soto or Torres should stop the Dubliner improving his current record which stands at 10(8) - 0. Soto has provided unbeaten prospects like Anthony Mora and Urbano Antillon with valuable rounds in the process of compiling 6(2) - 5 - 1 record. Torres who hails from Lakewood in Washington has won four of his last seven and hasn't been stopped in almost two years.

If all goes to plan the newly wed Dunne will be after his first professional title later in the year. Announcing the upcoming fights manager Brian Peters said, "The two fights are a little bit closer together than what I would have preferred, but I'm working on a exclusive event for May, so this will be great preparation for it. This will be a big year for Bernard who will be moving up to ten rounds by May or June of this year."

"I expect Bernard to have seven or eight fights this year, and be fighting for his first USBA or NABF American title by the end of the year, which will be over twelve rounds but man proposes and god disposes so we will wait and see", continued Peters.

As for Dunne he is happy that the hand injury he suffered against Ramirez in November has now completely healed. Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com this evening he said, "The hand's been great, no tenderness or anything and I've been back sparring since last week."

"Brian has been working very hard with me to formulate a plan for us, I can't wait to get back in to the ring. I have been sparring Alex Arthur, who is here training with Freddie Roach and I am in top shape."



Seems as though he is fighting a few tough hombres...

thepocketrocket wrote:A piece from http://www.irish-boxing.com

February 12th, 2004 - by Tomás Rohan

Top featherweight prospect Bernard Dunne looks set for yet another busy year. The Los Angeles based Dubliner has not fought since recording his tenth straight victory in the paid ranks back in November. On that occasion Dunne had to climb off the floor for the first time in his career to record a six rounds points win over tough Mexican, Alejandro Cruz Ramirez.

Dunne will begin his 2004 campaign with another Mexican in the opposite corner as he tackles 25 year old Orlando Soto on March 12th. The contest will take place over 6 or 8 rounds (depending on the TV requirements) and will be held in San Jose, California.

Should Dunne emerge unscathed from his bout with Soto he will then go on top the bill at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin, California just two weeks later. The card is an annual charitable event supported by actor and now governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Dunne appeared on the same card last year where he recorded a four rounds points win over Oscar Villa and Schwarzenegger was so impressed by the man he termed the "Irish De La Hoya" that he wanted him to headline the event this year.

Dunne and his management team were delighted to accept Governor Schwarzenegger's invitation and is set to meet 32 year old Angelo Torres over 8 rounds.

On paper neither Soto or Torres should stop the Dubliner improving his current record which stands at 10(8) - 0. Soto has provided unbeaten prospects like Anthony Mora and Urbano Antillon with valuable rounds in the process of compiling 6(2) - 5 - 1 record. Torres who hails from Lakewood in Washington has won four of his last seven and hasn't been stopped in almost two years.

If all goes to plan the newly wed Dunne will be after his first professional title later in the year. Announcing the upcoming fights manager Brian Peters said, "The two fights are a little bit closer together than what I would have preferred, but I'm working on a exclusive event for May, so this will be great preparation for it. This will be a big year for Bernard who will be moving up to ten rounds by May or June of this year."

"I expect Bernard to have seven or eight fights this year, and be fighting for his first USBA or NABF American title by the end of the year, which will be over twelve rounds but man proposes and god disposes so we will wait and see", continued Peters.

As for Dunne he is happy that the hand injury he suffered against Ramirez in November has now completely healed. Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com this evening he said, "The hand's been great, no tenderness or anything and I've been back sparring since last week."

"Brian has been working very hard with me to formulate a plan for us, I can't wait to get back in to the ring. I have been sparring Alex Arthur, who is here training with Freddie Roach and I am in top shape."



Seems as though he is fighting a few tough hombres...

Nice piece, but I fail to see the link with Hatton or Cotto.

I asked how Dunne was doing, Stu. Admittedly I was expecting something like "Oh he's had a break to be with his family" but got more than I bargained for.

Cheers pocket

Ingrate

bennie wrote:

Tuffnutz wrote:

TerribleTerry wrote:I have a copy of his Olympic bout with Abdullaev and whilst Cotto had a similar style to now, he was beaten due to a his opponents greater strength and work rate. He just couldn't match either.

His pro career has so far been fast track but he needs to fight more natural 10 stone fighters before Tsyzu is targetted. He is the strongest fighter active at the weight.

It is possible that Cotto only likes to fight at his own pace.

I think he could also be in danger of not putting his foot on the gas if he gets behind in a fight.

Is Cotto a bit lazy at times?

Should he put more into his performance or is it because he finds his opponents so easy ot beat?

Did you hear Darke say he lost to Abduallaev in the Olympic final! They all assume that because Abdullaev won the gold. It was a first series bout.
In fairness to Cotto, Abduallaev was a superb amateur, and Cotto seems a man who likes to take his time.

Amateur fights mean little anyway.

Anyway, Darke said after and I quote "Well in the olympics anyway" meaning he acknowledged his mistake.

And MightyWarrior, about Ricardo Williams, we all know that he is not going to get his act together. Why do people always dwell on what coulda, shoulda or woulda been in boxing?

[quote="thepocketrocket"]One thing you all are missing when comparing the records of Hatton-Cotto is that Ricky was never a senior amateur..he turned pro after Jnr level..Cotto went to the olympics and was more experienced/ physically mature after his initial bouts[/quote]

Are you sure this is right? I am sure It states in the British Boxing yearbook 2003 that Hatton was an ABA champion in 1997.

didn't Hatton go out abroad a few times and even fought a world rated Cuban (not sure at what level i.e. senior or jnr)

Lickszz wrote:

thepocketrocket wrote:One thing you all are missing when comparing the records of Hatton-Cotto is that Ricky was never a senior amateur..he turned pro after Jnr level..Cotto went to the olympics and was more experienced/ physically mature after his initial bouts

Are you sure this is right? I am sure It states in the British Boxing yearbook 2003 that Hatton was an ABA champion in 1997.

He did win the Snr ABA's.

I never knew that....learn something new every day

Ian irwin (England head coach) use to speak very highly about young Richard. He said he was the best young talent this country had seen for a few years. this was five years ago!!! i don't think he was far wrong. HOWEVER, i wouldn't be in a rush to box cotto if i was him. but if you want to be the best, you have to box and beat the best :P

England always make sweeping statements like that.

hatton reportedly had an amateur record of 76-4 one of those losses was in the semi's of the 96 world junior amateur championships and that was a robbery apparently. another was a stunning ko loss to juergen braehmer apparently hatton was knocked flat on his back and stayed there for quite a while.

as iv said cotto beats handily all comers at 40.the only 50/50 match ups are judah PFB mitchell and possibly abdullaev

[quote="rif you want to be the best, you have to box and beat the best :P[/quote]


"Parp - Dedication's what you need...."


Roy Castle lives on....

I agree.

Dedication or the will to have it can't be taught either.

[insert sick joke here]

I still think Gareth Gates beats Cotto.

I can see it going the distance, but Gates edges a points decision. He is one tough stuttering fool I say...