Prime DLH vs Prime Cotto

[IKSRTFO]

What you think would happen?

[dberry]

Hmmm, very interesting proposition. I think Oscar, in his prime, would be too good for Cotto. In his prime, DeLaHoya beat the whose who of the lightweight and welterweight divisions starting with John John Mollina then Jesse James Leija, stopping Chavez twice, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Pernell Whitaker, Macho Camacho, Ike Quartey and Felix Trinidad (c'mon, we all saw the fight!) and Shane Mosley at his peak had to resort to EPO, HGH and testosterone to edge a decision in their awesome fights. 'Roids didn't even help Vargas, who was in his prime when DeLaHoya stopped him.

Cotto is a great boxer in my opinion with some tough scalps to his name but not quite as impressive a resume. Looking at their shared opponents tells us a little though, Cotto did beat Mosley although Shane was about 38 at the time. they both stopped Mayorga although DLH did it quicker to a much younger Mayorga when Oscar was past his best. They both got stopped by Pacquiao although DLH was well past it by then and for me, the most telling of all is their fights against Mayweather, an over weight and past his prime DLH dropped a disputable split decision to Floyd five and a half years ago and Cotto lost a wide decision to him five years later.

I recon it would be a good fight to watch, I like both fighters' styles but DLH in his prime was in another league to Cotto in his.

[Rover]

Goldie by KO.

[thunderfromdownunder]

Nothing disputable in Oscars loss to Floyd, Miguels fight with Floyd was pretty similar in terms of the score (I had them both 116-112) I think Oscar takes this, IMO they are pretty well matched in terms of skill but Oscar would have a significant edge in power(IMO) would be a cracking fight. I remember this fight being talked about had Miguel beaten Margarito the first time out, had it happened then in 08-09 Cotto would have beaten him to a pulp

[gilgamesh]

The outcome has a lot to do with how consistently Oscar would use his jab. On his best night if he gave the performance of his life like he did against Fernando Vargas, it would probably be a fairly similar outcome...not quite sure he stops Cotto, but I do think he'd edge him in rounds and probably drop him at some point. Cotto definitely had solid boxing skills and superior body punching for sure, but certainly a more vulnerable defense and chin. I get the feeling we'd be looking at a highly competitive fight where DLH would edge it 7 rounds to 5 with a knockdown thrown in...possibly 6 to 6 with the knockdown. I'd favor Oscar in a very competitive fight.

[RadioElRadar]

Big Cotto fan, never much of a De La Hoya fan but I can see Miguel getting busted up here and stopped in the championship rounds.

[Rover]

Sorry to the MC fans ( what is NOT to like about this truly genuine guy ) but Oscar every day of the week and twice on Sunday's. Too fast, too accurate, and too clever ringwise.

[Rover]

The outcome has a lot to do with how consistently Oscar would use his jab. On his best night if he gave the performance of his life like he did against Fernando Vargas, it would probably be a fairly similar outcome...not quite sure he stops Cotto, but I do think he'd edge him in rounds and probably drop him at some point. Cotto definitely had solid boxing skills and superior body punching for sure, but certainly a more vulnerable defense and chin. I get the feeling we'd be looking at a highly competitive fight where DLH would edge it 7 rounds to 5 with a knockdown thrown in...possibly 6 to 6 with the knockdown. I'd favor Oscar in a very competitive fight.

Vargas was stronger than Cotto, especially when he fought DLH (that good ole failed drug test).

[gilgamesh]

The outcome has a lot to do with how consistently Oscar would use his jab. On his best night if he gave the performance of his life like he did against Fernando Vargas, it would probably be a fairly similar outcome...not quite sure he stops Cotto, but I do think he'd edge him in rounds and probably drop him at some point. Cotto definitely had solid boxing skills and superior body punching for sure, but certainly a more vulnerable defense and chin. I get the feeling we'd be looking at a highly competitive fight where DLH would edge it 7 rounds to 5 with a knockdown thrown in...possibly 6 to 6 with the knockdown. I'd favor Oscar in a very competitive fight.

Vargas was stronger than Cotto, especially when he fought DLH (that good ole failed drug test).

No doubt Vargas was stronger, Cotto was a more complete fighter though

[Datsue]

Sorry to the MC fans ( what is NOT to like about this truly genuine guy ) but Oscar every day of the week and twice on Sunday's. Too fast, too accurate, and too clever ringwise.

This...

I was going to write something snarky about how Cotto wouldn't win because there's no way he'd be fifteen pounds the heavier man on fight-night, but I chose not to.

See, I'm getting better...

[Rover]

The outcome has a lot to do with how consistently Oscar would use his jab. On his best night if he gave the performance of his life like he did against Fernando Vargas, it would probably be a fairly similar outcome...not quite sure he stops Cotto, but I do think he'd edge him in rounds and probably drop him at some point. Cotto definitely had solid boxing skills and superior body punching for sure, but certainly a more vulnerable defense and chin. I get the feeling we'd be looking at a highly competitive fight where DLH would edge it 7 rounds to 5 with a knockdown thrown in...possibly 6 to 6 with the knockdown. I'd favor Oscar in a very competitive fight.

Vargas was stronger than Cotto, especially when he fought DLH (that good ole failed drug test).

No doubt Vargas was stronger, Cotto was a more complete fighter though

I'd have confidently picked Vargas over Cotto at jr. middle. That is another thing: Oscar's prime weight was welter. Same for Cotto. I'd be shocked if Cotto would've beaten the Vargas of Oscar or Tito.

[gilgamesh]

Vargas was significantly bigger than Cotto and looked like it too, he would've beaten Cotto I agree, that has a lot to do with his significantly size and strength advantages. Cotto was never at his best as a 154 pounder, Vargas was never any smaller than 154. I already picked that De La Hoya would beat Cotto, what are we arguing about?

[Rover]

Vargas was significantly bigger than Cotto and looked like it too, he would've beaten Cotto I agree, that has a lot to do with his significantly size and strength advantages. Cotto was never at his best as a 154 pounder, Vargas was never any smaller than 154. I already picked that De La Hoya would beat Cotto, what are we arguing about?

The competitiveness. I don't think it would be a 6-6 or 7-5 fight.
And I know you haven't done this, but for those who want to bring up Mosley, DLH fought Mosley at welter in 2000. Cotto did it over 7 years later. I think the 2000 Mosley beats Cotto also.

[gilgamesh]

Vargas was significantly bigger than Cotto and looked like it too, he would've beaten Cotto I agree, that has a lot to do with his significantly size and strength advantages. Cotto was never at his best as a 154 pounder, Vargas was never any smaller than 154. I already picked that De La Hoya would beat Cotto, what are we arguing about?

The competitiveness. I don't think it would be a 6-6 or 7-5 fight.
And I know you haven't done this, but for those who want to bring up Mosley, DLH fought Mosley at welter in 2000. Cotto did it over 7 years later. I think the 2000 Mosley beats Cotto also.

The reason why I see the fight as that competitive is because in my opinion Cotto is at least as good as Quartey and Quartey gave DLH that kind of fight. I agree 2000 Mosley beats Cotto.

[thunderfromdownunder]

Prime for prime, Cotto is competetive with Oscar, I'd take Oscar late stoppage 11th or 12th. Or maybe decision. Cotto would hurt Oscar with body shots, but Oscar would be faster and stronger

[gilgamesh]

For me Cotto's bodywork is the reason why Oscar wouldn't stop him late. Oscar faded late sometimes anyway, with someone like Cotto working his body, he definitely would fade late. He'd still be fighting don't get me wrong, but I think enough steam would've left his punches by the 10th and 11th round that he wouldn't be able to stop Miguel.

[Rover]

Vargas was significantly bigger than Cotto and looked like it too, he would've beaten Cotto I agree, that has a lot to do with his significantly size and strength advantages. Cotto was never at his best as a 154 pounder, Vargas was never any smaller than 154. I already picked that De La Hoya would beat Cotto, what are we arguing about?

The competitiveness. I don't think it would be a 6-6 or 7-5 fight.
And I know you haven't done this, but for those who want to bring up Mosley, DLH fought Mosley at welter in 2000. Cotto did it over 7 years later. I think the 2000 Mosley beats Cotto also.

The reason why I see the fight as that competitive is because in my opinion Cotto is at least as good as Quartey and Quartey gave DLH that kind of fight. I agree 2000 Mosley beats Cotto.

Ah, I see where our difference lies. I'd confidently pick a prime welter Ike over Cotto.

[BoxBuzz]

I think this outcome is certain, somewhat on skill level, but more on ring generalship.

I also see DLH managing a late KO over this opponent. And he might have a shakey moment or two along the way.

[The End]

Vargas was significantly bigger than Cotto and looked like it too, he would've beaten Cotto I agree, that has a lot to do with his significantly size and strength advantages. Cotto was never at his best as a 154 pounder, Vargas was never any smaller than 154. I already picked that De La Hoya would beat Cotto, what are we arguing about?

The competitiveness. I don't think it would be a 6-6 or 7-5 fight.
And I know you haven't done this, but for those who want to bring up Mosley, DLH fought Mosley at welter in 2000. Cotto did it over 7 years later. I think the 2000 Mosley beats Cotto also.

The reason why I see the fight as that competitive is because in my opinion Cotto is at least as good as Quartey and Quartey gave DLH that kind of fight. I agree 2000 Mosley beats Cotto.

Quartey would leave Cotto lookin how Margarito left him in the first fight .

Hell Cotto arguably lost to Clottey.

[SamWise72]

I think lots of people forget how good Oscar really was, because he went on too long. Comfortable points victory for DLH, though he has to take some lumps on the way.

[Crease]

I'm going for De La Hoya.

[Techno89]

De La Hoya

[Counter-puncher]

death by jab, if Oscar chooses to focus on it. counter left hook ends Cotto around 9 rounds or less.