Miguel Cotto: THE most OVERRATED Boxer EVER...

[caldo2025]

First of all, I know that Puerto Rico loves this guy. Puerto Ricans love their boxing and they cherish ALL of their professional athletes from Roberto Clemente to Felix Trinidad. But, someone really needs to explain to me the fascination with Miguel Cotto. Dan Rafael can't get enough of him. Al Bernstein calls him one of the greatest ever. Two guys, way more qualified than I, hold this guy up so high. But why?

First of all, I'm not counting the Sergio Martinez fight because any Jr Welterweight or Middleweight would have beaten Sergio that night. Sergio had no business getting in the ring with those knees in that condition so this title was won in the boardroom just getting Sergio to agree to the fight, not in the ring. Calling Cotto the lineal Middleweight Champion of the World makes me want to vomit. We're talking about a belt that Sugar Ray Robinson and Marvin Hagler strapped around their waists.

So lets take a look at the real career of Miguel Cotto. He's lost EVERY big fight he's ever been in. He fought Floyd and Manny in his prime and got blitzed. In almost 24 rounds with those two, I would argue that he didn't win 2 rounds. People then argue that he's won "multiple World Titles". The 3 world titles he won prior were all vacated titles at the time and the opposition he had to face to win those titles were pathetic. Kelson Pinto? Carlos Quintana? Michael Jennings? These are the people Cotto beat for these titles. Yeah, I know...who?!! The ONLY noteworthy win on this guy's resume is Shane Mosely, a guy that is probably #2 on my Most Overrated Fighter List. Another guy revered while losing every big fight he's ever been in.

So someone please set me straight here because I want to like Cotto. I have never rooted against him in any fight he's been in and i have found his fights to be exciting but I come from a day where the Middleweight Champion meant something. It was a close second to the Heavyweight Champion. I personally think that Cotto should vacate the title unless he's going to legitimately defend it against middleweights. His first defense was almost against Alvarez, who is not even a middleweight yet, so he's not off to a great start.

Help me understand please.

[ReggieDiggs]

I think people tend to sh!t on all guys in the Miguel level of opposition & under far too easily. People see Manny & Floyd as top guys & the boxers who mostly if not entirely are unable to beat them all suck (which is insanity), but if you're one of those people who think those boxers suck then the guys who lose to the boxers who lose to the Floyd's & Manny's must really suck (that is also insanity) right?

The reality is every guy you are seeing in a HBO/PPV/Showtime main event are almost always in the top 1% in the boxing food chain. They are mfing incredible in boxing & there are only a handful of guys in the sport at any time that can beat those level of guys & typically they are other guys in that 1% of exceptional boxers or guys capable of being in the 1%. Some people need to quit acting like the guys in the bottom half 1% ain't sh!t cuz they can't beat or seldom beat the guys in the top half 1%. Miguel isn't the top guy of this era, but he's among the top guys no question (despite the agreed weaker boxers in the title acquisition fights). Next time you wanna diss Miguel go look at ten random guys considered below Miguel's resume.

[JCS]

He's a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Is anyone suggesting he's more than that?

[tiny_acres]

He's a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Is anyone suggesting he's more than that?

Could not of said it any better

[Aaronide_ger]

@caldo2025 Totally agree with you man, TOTALLY.

[fanman]

I agree with the op.
Only perhaps Cotto gets a lot of fan appreciation for putting up tough fights, and rebounding from devastating losses, particularly the Margarito fight which as we now know was potentially dubious.
He's also a very humble character, but I agree he is not a 'great' fighter.

[Cent0089]

Miguel Cotto is future hall of famer.

At beginning of his career, he stopped tough guys DeMarcus Corley and Randall Bailey, when they was at prime of their career.
He knocked out dangerous Ricardo Torres is an entertaining slugfest.
Defeating Malignaggi and Quintana.
He stops Zab Judah (a bit of dirty tactic) in mostly one sided bout.
Defeating Shane Mosley when he was at prime (this victory alone is proof that Miguel isnt overrated)
Fighting against Joshua Clottey one-eyed in 9 rounds of 12.
Loss against Pacquiao was pretty hard
Decent victory in Margarito rematch.
Loss against Mayweather wasnt so one- sided as you said
Loss against Trout, disapointment
Win against Sergio Martinez (who was past prime, but still impressive victory)

Boxing is fun to watch because of guys like Miguel Cotto. He is not overrated.

[jas80s]

Miguel Cotto to me falls in that category of fighters that have a couple of notable and memorable losses to legendary type fighters and, in those cases, we can be blinded by those memories. Simply looking at his record and seeing the sheer amount of truly excellent fighters that he has beaten should demonstrate that he was a pretty special talent. If one objectively starts naming other very good fighters, they will be hard pressed to name too many guys that are clearly better. Remember, it wouldn't be hard to dump on those guys resumes either, this and many other boxing forums demonstrate that fact daily.

Miguel Cotto was one of the very best fighters of his generation, there were a couple of guys who were better, and several other notable names that would reside on roughly the same level. I think that is really as high as anyone really rates him....and I think that's pretty fair.

[ikorolev]

Miguel Cotto was one of the very best fighters of his generation ...

If it was true, it wouldn't be very complimentary for the generation ...

[sucracristo]

any Jr Welterweight or Middleweight would have beaten Sergio that night.

what does this even mean? because one boxers blows another boxer out, it doesn't
mean ANY other boxer would blow him out. sergio was not 100% but get serious.
1) not every boxer would have hit sergio with the shots cotto hit sergio
2) cotto's shots that night would have hit almost all other boxers
3) almost all boxers who did get hit with those shots from cotto would be in trouble
4) the version of sergio that showed up for the opening bell that fight was still mobile enough
and accurate enough to beat most boxers.

this crap gets so ridiculous sometimes. the cotto who showed up that night would maul
all but a few 147 and 154 and some ranked 160 guys. i just don't think cotto wants
to face the legit 160 contenders if he has a ppv fight against a smaller guy. cotto was
the reason sergio looked bad at least as much if not more than sergio not being 100%

[Badhusker]

First of all you have to consider his whole career. He has had an excellent career overall. I don't hold the Pacquiao fight against him because he was basically forced to fight at the 145 catchweight or be stripped of his title. He was the champ, but we all know how money talks. He also had to take a 76-24 split, or close to it. For those that followed him, he was having trouble making 147, so it was a strategy by Roach to get Pac the advantage of weakening Cotto. Cotto fought well until he started gassing. Pac refusing to go at 150 or above for a rematch vs Cotto tells us a lot. Roach/Pacquiao did the same thing with other fights too.

The most over-rated ever? Wow, you are delusional. Cotto has basically taken on all comers for the majority of his career, but is more selective lately. Him vs Canelo not getting made I would guess was because Canelo has a bigger ego than he should at his point in his career, and wanted equal at least to what Cotto wanted.

[Ricky_]

This thread

Cotto is underrated. He's a much better boxer than he gets credit for. He got beat up by Margarito with loaded gloves. He got beat up by a prime Pacquiao, no shame in that. Better fighters than Cotto got their asses handed to them by Pac. He looked good vs Floyd, Mayweather was a little too slick but Cotto boxed excellently on the inside, 7-5 Floyd. Trout was simply too long, styles make fights.

Outside of that he's a multiweight world champion with wins over the likes of Mosley.

[rio]

First of all you have to consider his whole career. He has had an excellent career overall. I don't hold the Pacquiao fight against him because he was basically forced to fight at the 145 catchweight or be stripped of his title. He was the champ, but we all know how money talks. He also had to take a 76-24 split, or close to it. For those that followed him, he was having trouble making 147, so it was a strategy by Roach to get Pac the advantage of weakening Cotto. Cotto fought well until he started gassing. Pac refusing to go at 150 or above for a rematch vs Cotto tells us a lot. Roach/Pacquiao did the same thing with other fights too.

The most over-rated ever? Wow, you are delusional. Cotto has basically taken on all comers for the majority of his career, but is more selective lately. Him vs Canelo not getting made I would guess was because Canelo has a bigger ego than he should at his point in his career, and wanted equal at least to what Cotto wanted.

How can you be stripped of your title for fighting at the correct weight? No way would he have been stripped if he told pacman there was no catchweight, 147 or nothing. The fight may not have happened and he would have fought someone else but you don't get stripped for that. The reason he did it was for the money, and if he struggled at the weight then its his fault he should not have signed the contract so to me you can't use that as an excuse

[SFW]

I believe Cotto came in at 146 for Clottey and won a great fight with one eye, just previous to fighting Pac.. so that one extra pound gets blown out of proportion.. at the end of the second round Pac shook him up, dropped him in the 3rd then jelly legged him in the 4th.. Cotto was not "gassed" at anytime during that. He was simply getting his ass kicked by a better fighter.

Cotto is a a modern day great, and a great action fighter we can't ask for more than that.

[Evander]

For starters he can hardly be accused of ducking fighters based on the level of competition, just look at his opponents and when he fought them it's a no brainer.
Corley was fairly live and even rocked Cotto quite seriously in that fight.
Torres was 28-0
Malignaggi was 21-0
Quintana was 23-0
Cotto beat both Judah and Mosley back to back.
He lost to Margarito but we all know Antonio's glove issues by now and Cotto won the rematch.
No shame losing to Floyd or Manny.
Perhaps there are those that may think he shouldn't be rated as highly I could buy that, but overrated no way.

[KBB]

First of all, I know that Puerto Rico loves this guy. Puerto Ricans love their boxing and they cherish ALL of their professional athletes from Roberto Clemente to Felix Trinidad. But, someone really needs to explain to me the fascination with Miguel Cotto. Dan Rafael can't get enough of him. Al Bernstein calls him one of the greatest ever. Two guys, way more qualified than I, hold this guy up so high. But why?

First of all, I'm not counting the Sergio Martinez fight because any Jr Welterweight or Middleweight would have beaten Sergio that night. Sergio had no business getting in the ring with those knees in that condition so this title was won in the boardroom just getting Sergio to agree to the fight, not in the ring. Calling Cotto the lineal Middleweight Champion of the World makes me want to vomit. We're talking about a belt that Sugar Ray Robinson and Marvin Hagler strapped around their waists.

So lets take a look at the real career of Miguel Cotto. He's lost EVERY big fight he's ever been in. He fought Floyd and Manny in his prime and got blitzed. In almost 24 rounds with those two, I would argue that he didn't win 2 rounds. People then argue that he's won "multiple World Titles". The 3 world titles he won prior were all vacated titles at the time and the opposition he had to face to win those titles were pathetic. Kelson Pinto? Carlos Quintana? Michael Jennings? These are the people Cotto beat for these titles. Yeah, I know...who?!! The ONLY noteworthy win on this guy's resume is Shane Mosely, a guy that is probably #2 on my Most Overrated Fighter List. Another guy revered while losing every big fight he's ever been in.

So someone please set me straight here because I want to like Cotto. I have never rooted against him in any fight he's been in and i have found his fights to be exciting but I come from a day where the Middleweight Champion meant something. It was a close second to the Heavyweight Champion. I personally think that Cotto should vacate the title unless he's going to legitimately defend it against middleweights. His first defense was almost against Alvarez, who is not even a middleweight yet, so he's not off to a great start.

Help me understand please.

It seems since Cotto so thoroughly dominated Sergio many people have been upset and hating on him, at the time he beat Shane (who isn't overrated) Mosley was one of the top dogs in his weight class and the sport.

I see no need to put Cotto down because if you are putting him down and claiming he's overrated then you'd have to say the same about Manny and Floyd as well.

Manny beat Margarito who many claimed was all this and that when they're counting his wins, Manny beat Cotto in what wasn't an easy fight for him, Cotto gave Floyd a hell of a scrap, dominated a guy who was basically a CW (Chavez) by the time fight night came.

Mosley KO'd Margarito who Manny thrashed also, and let's not forget Miguel rematched Margo and won handily.

Why call him the most overrated boxer ever? If you are going to do that then you have to put down everyone that he has fought that is considered great that beat him and everyone who lost to him nothing.

Unfair and inaccurate.

[Lackeos]

Cotto has 18 wins in world title fights, is a 4-division world champ, and has held a top 10 p4p ranking. So he's pretty decent.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

I have respect for Cotto he's been in with some hall or famer's and beat some top fighter's along the way but to change my mind about wether he's a ppv star today he would have to beat GGG and this would make him a all time great I believe.
But back to the original question is he overrated I do believe Cotto was in his prime afew moon's ago After the Trout loss I thought he was finished but he's bounced back with a great win lifting WBC middle tittle from Martinez who fought like he'd seen better day's long before Cotto now the balls in Cotto court to see if he can make non believe's.......... believer's if beats GGG then no-one can say
that he's overrated.

[BAD INTENTIONS]

People like him so that causes a 95% objectivity loss.

However Caldo, everything you said was spot on.

[caldo2025]

Great responses but the Cotto appeal is still lost on me. I realize that he's a very good fighter, that was never my point of contention. I just don't agree with the "GREAT" label that boxing pundits haphazardly pair to his name. Sure, he's a first ballot HOF'er, but who isn't? The Boxing HOF is a joke as they let EVERYONE in. Not the shrine that it is with the major sports. HOF? yes. One of the greats? No way.

You people showering Cotto with credit for beating Sergio really frustrate me. I'm a big fan of Sergio and have closely followed him over the last 5 years. He was at 60% for that fight. His knees just wouldn't allow him to train properly. He showed up flabby and out of shape but he's a real champion and gave it a shot. Sergio would have had a tough time beating any top 10 fighter in his division and the one below him. Sergio is twice the fighter Cotto is but no one is saying how GREAT Sergio is. How come? Sergio was everything the Middleweight Champion of the world should be and defended it against all deserving Middleweights.

Cotto, Lineal Middleweight Champion. That doesn't bother anyone? It's sad. I was holding out hope that Cotto would give a deserving Middleweight a title shot when the Alvarez fight fell through but no such luck. Now Cotto is in negotiations for a Tim Bradley fight. Tim Bradley? Bradley hasn't fought over 147lbs. A Cotto/Bradley fight would be great, don't get me wrong, but not for the Middleweight Championship and it's one of the many reasons why boxing needs an enema.

[Batley18]

I don't think he is the most overrated boxer ever, but as many have said, he hasn't got a list of names in his W list that will be talked about for years to come. His performances against Mayweather and Pac Man were sub par, but he took them both on in their prime, and they are both very special fighters.

He will retire with Martinez being his best ever win, but the guy's knees had completely gone. You could tell during the fight with Murray that he was near the end. Cotto's heart and passion for the sport is one thing that has made him so revered over the years.

[Oiky]

i think cotto gets appreciated alot because of his style, its appealing to the fans, it sells. he is overrated but i wouldln't say he's overrated to the level the op is saying

[The Great John L]

Defeating Shane Mosley when he was at prime (this victory alone is proof that Miguel isnt overrated)

While not shot when Cotto beat him, Shane was 36yo and was hardly in his prime as his record following the Cotto fight clearly shows.

Cotto is a great fighter, but the fact that some are calling him a first ballot HOFer shows that he's probably a bit over-rated.

[KBB]

Great responses but the Cotto appeal is still lost on me. I realize that he's a very good fighter, that was never my point of contention. I just don't agree with the "GREAT" label that boxing pundits haphazardly pair to his name. Sure, he's a first ballot HOF'er, but who isn't? The Boxing HOF is a joke as they let EVERYONE in. Not the shrine that it is with the major sports. HOF? yes. One of the greats? No way.

You people showering Cotto with credit for beating Sergio really frustrate me. I'm a big fan of Sergio and have closely followed him over the last 5 years. He was at 60% for that fight. His knees just wouldn't allow him to train properly. He showed up flabby and out of shape but he's a real champion and gave it a shot. Sergio would have had a tough time beating any top 10 fighter in his division and the one below him. Sergio is twice the fighter Cotto is but no one is saying how GREAT Sergio is. How come? Sergio was everything the Middleweight Champion of the world should be and defended it against all deserving Middleweights.

Cotto, Lineal Middleweight Champion. That doesn't bother anyone? It's sad. I was holding out hope that Cotto would give a deserving Middleweight a title shot when the Alvarez fight fell through but no such luck. Now Cotto is in negotiations for a Tim Bradley fight. Tim Bradley? Bradley hasn't fought over 147lbs. A Cotto/Bradley fight would be great, don't get me wrong, but not for the Middleweight Championship and it's one of the many reasons why boxing needs an enema.

So the truth finally shines through, this is really about Cotto beating your boy Sergio!! Martinez was talking a lot of trash in the 24/7 series and he convinced all of his fans that he would destroy Miguel but then after he lost all the excuses with his knees, not being able to train properly and whatnot surfaced. Just face it, it wouldn't have mattered what condition Sergio came in that night he still would've gotten his a$$ handed to him.

Cotto went into beast mode and beat the brakes off of Martinez, I have no problem with Miguel being crowned Lineal MW Champion, he earned it, had he got given a gift of a decision in a fight where it was somewhat close and they gave it to him on name recognition then I would readily agree with you but that was not the case, he got dominated.

Like I said, if you are putting down Miguel Cotto then you have to put down both Mayweather and Pacquiao and you may as well include SSM too.

[Baby Face Finster]

The ONLY noteworthy win on this guy's resume is Shane Mosely, a guy that is probably #2 on my Most Overrated Fighter List. Another guy revered while losing every big fight he's ever been in.

This is incorrect. Mosley beat DLH while DLH was in his prime. Get your facts straight at least.