Ricky Hatton...STAY CLEAR OF COTTO!!!

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 29 Feb 2004, 19:51

This guy is awesome. I gave Sosa a small shot last night. He dissapointed me, he didn't fight with the same aggression, determination and fire last night as he did against Mayweather, but perhaps that was because Cotto was too good and he knew it.

Cotto has no obvious weakness. His combinations are beautiful. Unlike many up and coming fighters, his hands are held high. He doesn't rush his work, he's patient, and picks his shots wonderfully with deadly precision and power. He's so quick and smooth.

One thing we haven't seen him under is real, hard pressure which Ricky would provide. But Cotto would find the room, and pick Hatton apart. After the fight, Hatton's trainer Billy Graham didn't have an answer when asked what Cotto's weaknesses are. But he said a bout with the Puerto Rican may not be too far away. Maybe it's best to go in with him, before he gets even better.

If Hatton wins the WBO title (and that wont be easy against a guy with an amateur win over Cotto), guess who his Mandatory challenger will be? Yes, Cotto.

This Cotto is something else, i think he beats everyone at 140, and i would be surprised if he doesn't go on to join the list of great Puerto Rican boxers.

Tuffnutz · Post by **Tuffnutz** » 29 Feb 2004, 20:20

I don't think Hatton would last long with Cotto, TBH. The guy is a very mean body puncher with more than enough power to stop Hatton with those bodyshots, plus he seems to have all the tools a fighter can Have.

What amazed me was how big Cotto looked compared to Sosa. Ok, Sosa was a blown up light weight but Cotto still looked huge and i doubt that he will stay at light welter for long.

Hatton v Cotto will never Happen for the WBO title and Cotto won't go for the WBA belt either. Fighters like Cotto only go for the green belt because they know they are the best.

The only figher out there who would beat Cotto is Zoo, IMO, but if Zoo has faded even slightly then i would'nt be suprised if Cotto takes him out.

Cotto is huge, very very powerfull, sharp, cool and a complete pro after only 19 fights.

I watched Sosa in his last fight and to me it was'nt the same Sosa who fought PBF, but i still did'nt espect Cotto to destroy with such easy.

Cotto is the man. 8)

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 29 Feb 2004, 21:32

It is possible he doesn't hit as hard as it appears fighting lightweights and Hatton is durable and could drag him into deep water, who knows if he sinks or swims?. It is true to say Cotto doesn't have any obvious weakness, but that doesn't mean that there are none. To me he's still a prospect (albeit an extremely impressive one) until he beats a genuine light welter of some note, same as it was for Hatton until he fought Tackie.

pugilisticprofessor · Post by **pugilisticprofessor** » 29 Feb 2004, 22:08

I know hes only a 135pnder but I think JL Castillo was a style that would cause Cotto a few problems.
I would love to see that fight.
Castillo early in his career was a bit chinny , but he is a rejuvantated fighter and I like him to test Cotto.
Im not saying that Cotto wont win , But I am saying tht it wont be easy.

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

While watching the Cotto/Sosa fight I thought to myself, Cotto is going to get a shock when Soto hits him.
The Puerto Rican looked just too casual in there, almost nonchalant. Yes he has a tight guard, but he seemed to be tempting fate in there: Sosa is no mug.
Then he did hit him, in the 2nd round, and Cotto was briefly stunned ( though Watt and Darke missed it, until the slo-mo replay).
But he recovered almost instantly & showed a very decent chin.

This guy seems to have it all.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 01 Mar 2004, 06:23

Believe me, that mistake he made which led to him getting caught (slugging it out on the ropes) is unlikely to be made again. Cotto is a scientist in preparation for his fights, and an artist in the ring. Mistakes are very rarely made, especially not twice.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 01 Mar 2004, 07:07

while he looked great i agree with Bassie, we have to see how he reacts under real pressure...

Sosa was a lot smaller and lacked the fire power to cause any real damage.

I love the way Cotto's chin never lifts off his chest.....

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Mar 2004, 07:39

Sounds like a very difficult opponent for Hatton, patient, slick, fast hands, good defensively, and has power.

However, Hatton brings his own difficulties to the ring, fast, relentless, good chin (in my opinion), and an excellent body attack.

I could see these two turning in a real war, but Hatton's cuts seem likely to come into it, and he could well get stopped late on.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:02

Cotto looks streets ahead of the current champ Kostya 'the bumbling statue' Tzsyu. If Cotto gets to Tzysu (and we all seriously doubt the russian will be around long enough) I predict a one sided slaughter. Cotto is just so much slicker than kostya. tszyu would simply walk straight onto everything cotto threw. relatively easy fight for cotto.

before the ndou fight, i would have said the only guy with a prayer against cotto in this division is the talented sharmba mitchell, although he did get hit a lot in his last fight by not a top operator.

haven't seen enough of viv harris to predict if he has a chance, but i'd like to see harris/cotto.

as for hatton, i would be rooting for ricky as much as the next englishman but I really don't see a way Hatton could bother Cotto for sustained periods. Ricky would be brave but possibly dropped a few times, get cut up and stopped.

anyone think cotto has improved enormously since his figth with ubaldo hernandez? 16 months ago i don't remember being that impressed with him.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:04

I'm not going to jump totally on the Cotto bandwagon but you've got to favour him strongly over Hatton.

Ricky is a handful no doubt but I question how much he'd want to get close to Cotto after tasting some of that power. And in any case I just couldn't see Hattons raiding tactics working for 12 rounds against someone so polished. Look at how bloody dangerous Cotto is when he opens up, you think Ricky can handle that? At this stage I don't believe he can.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:39

Cotto looked superb, and I don't want to dampen the rightful acclaim for his display - but why is he always fighting lightweights? I don't think he's met a world class light-welter as yet.
He looked huge compared to Sosa.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:43

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.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:46

Riddick Blowe wrote:Cotto looks streets ahead of the current champ Kostya 'the bumbling statue' Tzsyu. If Cotto gets to Tzysu (and we all seriously doubt the russian will be around long enough) I predict a one sided slaughter. Cotto is just so much slicker than kostya. tszyu would simply walk straight onto everything cotto threw. relatively easy fight for cotto.

Sorry, but this is just a stupid series of comments.

Tszyu is demanding of much more respect, and to suggest he'd "easily" lose to Cotto is daft. Zab Judah thought he was going to be too "slick" for him...and look what happened to him?

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:50

While Cotto looked good the other night he hasn't yet fought anyone who would pressure him as much as Hatton would and so it's a bit premature I think to write Hatton off against him. Personally I think Hattons high energy style and non-stop attacks could well cause Cotto trouble ...how would Cotto react to Rickys body punches?. Also one weakness I see in Cotto is that he likes to fight at his own pace... the way to beat someone with that style is lots of pressure. Obvioulsy another big question would be how would Hatton take Cottos punches... and with his tendancy to cut this is a worry. I think Hattons people would be advised to try to get a Cotto match in the next year, as I see Cotto perhaps being even more dangerous in two years time!. Hell of a fight it would be!....

Tuffnutz · Post by **Tuffnutz** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:51

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?

Tuffnutz · Post by **Tuffnutz** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:52

silkov wrote:Also one weakness I see in Cotto is that he likes to fight at his own pace...

Beat me to it, buddy.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 01 Mar 2004, 08:56

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.

Tuffnutz · Post by **Tuffnutz** » 01 Mar 2004, 09:00

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.

Yes, it seems that Cotto is a bit of a control freak in the ring.

I wonder what Happens if he is behind in a fight or someone is able to take his power and pressure him?

I hope he can adjust to his opponenets pace because so far he has'nt needed to.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 01 Mar 2004, 09:33

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.

Yes I was going to say, let's not forget there's some serious talent coming through at 140.
No need to write off Abdullaev just because he mistimed the count. And what about Bojado: how good will he get?
Then Ricardo Williams, if he gets serious and gets his training together, would give anyone a helluva fight.
I watched his loss and he showed a lot of guts in there. He can come again defintely.
Cotto has some big tests ahead....not forgeting Pinto of course!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Mar 2004, 09:34

Isn't it funny how Cotto fights a lightweight, and all we get is commendations about his performance, and yet when Hatton fought Rios all he got was stick? Rios is

Double standards methinks.

Why everyone is saying that Cotto is tested is beyond me, his record is filled with lightweights and experienced but over the hill or limited opponents, just as much if not more so than Hatton.

Cesar Bazan, really an overweight lightweight.
Maussa Crap!
Rocky Martinez, underweight light welterweight.
John Brown - Lightweight

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 01 Mar 2004, 09:38

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Isn't it funny how Cotto fights a lightweight, and all we get is commendations about his performance, and yet when Hatton fought Rios all he got was stick? Rios is

Double standards methinks.

Why everyone is saying that Cotto is tested is beyond me, his record is filled with lightweights and experienced but over the hill or limited opponents, just as much if not more so than Hatton.

Cesar Bazan, really an overweight lightweight.
Maussa Crap!
Rocky Martinez, underweight light welterweight.
John Brown - Lightweight

Agree entirely there James, although I do believe Bezan and Sosa are both better than Rios.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 01 Mar 2004, 09:39

You have a point James but it's highly unlikely Cotto will go 30 fights and still be fighting those guys. He'll be in a world title fight within 12 months, which Hatton is still yet to experience himself.

Also I'd have to say I'd have been far happier with Sosa as the Hatton opponent than I was with Rios.

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 01 Mar 2004, 09:52

I have thought from day one that Cotto would dismantle Hatton and Ricky's best hope is that Cotto will outgrow the division.

Cotto is IMO the biggest danger to Hattons dominance.

HH

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Mar 2004, 09:56

Point taken.

Let me make this point however.

It should be noted that it is harder for a British fighter to get the kind of profile Hatton now has. I do think he has made a lot of money thus far, and I do also think that had he lost at say this stage of his career, it would be very hard for him to get back in the frame.

I think Hatton has been moved admittedly slowly, but ultimately well. Cotto is on a faster track for sure, but whether that benefits him in the long run or not remains to be seen.

With his style of fighting, Cotto is always going to be more adaptable than Hatton, who needs to be aggressive to impose his will, and perhaps for that reason it is just as well he has been given a long time to mature.

However fast the two have got there, the fact is Hatton is rated above Cotto by most people.

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 01 Mar 2004, 09:58

At this point I agree mate.

HH