BoxRec

If this fight takes place instead of Tszyu-Hatton.

Who wins this IBF/WBO unification?

I think at that time Cotto could've taken Tszyu. It would've been an excellent fight.

In 2005 I would lean towards a Cotto decision. Tszyu seemed to lose a lot of hunger after his destruction of Mitchell in their rematch.
The Tszyu from that bout would have belted Cotto, and possibly Hatton too.
I always felt that the Hatton bout was a mistake for Tszyu because he just wasn’t fully up for the the early morning fight, he initially missed weight etc…
Whereas Ricky was ready and raring to go,. He was hungry and primed for his home crowd.
I’m not sure Kostya was expecting what he got there, but he certainly got it

Tszyu UD

Les Norton wrote: ↑20 Jun 2024, 23:33 In 2005 I would lean towards a Cotto decision. Tszyu seemed to lose a lot of hunger after his destruction of Mitchell in their rematch.
The Tszyu from that bout would have belted Cotto, and possibly Hatton too.
I always felt that the Hatton bout was a mistake for Tszyu because he just wasn’t fully up for the the early morning fight, he initially missed weight etc…
Whereas Ricky was ready and raring to go,. He was hungry and primed for his home crowd.
I’m not sure Kostya was expecting what he got there, but he certainly got it

I think, you're right for the most part. But one fact that is, IMO, often lost when it comes to Tszyu vs. Hatton bout is that Tszyu was in that fight all the way through (until he wasn't). And that's despite all the circumstances that you've mentioned. He wasn't at his best, but he wasn't completely spent.

What I'm saying here is that even that version of Tszyu could've possibly beaten Cotto. Cotto is a better boxer than Hatton, but he also doesn't represent the same ferocious style that aged Tszyu struggled with. Tszyu will be having more time to think and process, with Cotto.

Plus, Cotto was chinny at 140. He was getting rocked pretty often at that weight class. I can see Kostya being able to take him out.