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Cotto was seriously hurt twice in his fight and I'm sure Witter would have tagged him big and put him away. There was the risk that Cotto would be in great shape but I bet as Junior watches Cotto been hurt it was him in there. Hindsight a beautiful thing. BTW just looked at Ricardo Torres previous opponents and they are pretty awful.

Witter needs to push for a Cotto fight, a big name that looks very vunerable and seems to do the wrong thing when hurt. Cotto won't counterpunch like Kotlenik he'll try to pressure, leave himself open and get tagged BIG and Witter can put him away early - stamina won't be an issue.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Cotto was seriously hurt twice in his fight and I'm sure Witter would have tagged him big and put him away. There was the risk that Cotto would be in great shape but I bet as Junior watches Cotto been hurt it was him in there. Hindsight a beautiful thing. BTW just looked at Ricardo Torres previous opponents and they are pretty awful.

Witter needs to push for a Cotto fight, a big name that looks very vunerable and seems to do the wrong thing when hurt. Cotto won't counterpunch like Kotlenik he'll try to pressure, leave himself open and get tagged BIG and Witter can put him away early - stamina won't be an issue.

I thought that aswell, but I would like to see Witter's power when he was backed up and not on the front foot. Torres was hurting Cotto when he was tight up on the ropes and had quite little leverage - can Witter do that?

I'm not doubting Witter punching power, but early on his career the Sky Sports folks used to laugh at his nickname when he was more a back foot fighter - cause he never put them away. Will he be able to dictate the centre of the ring against Cotto?

Also that stamina question, I noted in his last two contest that his power fades when he fades - Witter would probably have to get him out.

I appreciate that Torres' opposition has been weak - but no doubt he is a puncher. Cotto has been in with too many respectable punchers to all of a sudden look very chinny. You could also tell by his punching technique that he is a punch - very sharp offensively.

I thought exactly the same thing, look how raw Torres was and he caught Cotto consecutively, if that was Witter in the ring then Cotto would have been stopped in my opinion.

stujones wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Cotto was seriously hurt twice in his fight and I'm sure Witter would have tagged him big and put him away. There was the risk that Cotto would be in great shape but I bet as Junior watches Cotto been hurt it was him in there. Hindsight a beautiful thing. BTW just looked at Ricardo Torres previous opponents and they are pretty awful.

Witter needs to push for a Cotto fight, a big name that looks very vunerable and seems to do the wrong thing when hurt. Cotto won't counterpunch like Kotlenik he'll try to pressure, leave himself open and get tagged BIG and Witter can put him away early - stamina won't be an issue.

I thought that aswell, but I would like to see Witter's power when he was backed up and not on the front foot. Torres was hurting Cotto when he was tight up on the ropes and had quite little leverage - can Witter do that?

I'm not doubting Witter punching power, but early on his career the Sky Sports folks used to laugh at his nickname when he was more a back foot fighter - cause he never put them away. Will he be able to dictate the centre of the ring against Cotto?

Also that stamina question, I noted in his last two contest that his power fades when he fades - Witter would probably have to get him out.

I appreciate that Torres' opposition has been weak - but no doubt he is a puncher. Cotto has been in with too many respectable punchers to all of a sudden look very chinny. You could also tell by his punching technique that he is a punch - very sharp offensively.

I think Cottos chin must have either been destroyed by weight making, ala Jones JR, or something as his ability to take a punch went downhill fast when e weighed 158 for Corley - 18lbs of weight after weigh in - can't be healthy. I really wonder how 18lbs of water loss is even possible. Everyone talks about Hatton been Ricky Fatton but Cotto is the real porker of the division.

I don't think Witter would be forced on the back foot that early. His switching may mean he gets caught but it also means he will open Cotto upto some seriously big hooks and shots from strange angles.

Lets see if its a fight that ever happens anyway. Hopefully Branco disapears from all rankings - if only

I hope we don't have to see Lauri-Witter again - a repeat of Calazage-Veit 2

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:

stujones wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Cotto was seriously hurt twice in his fight and I'm sure Witter would have tagged him big and put him away. There was the risk that Cotto would be in great shape but I bet as Junior watches Cotto been hurt it was him in there. Hindsight a beautiful thing. BTW just looked at Ricardo Torres previous opponents and they are pretty awful.

Witter needs to push for a Cotto fight, a big name that looks very vunerable and seems to do the wrong thing when hurt. Cotto won't counterpunch like Kotlenik he'll try to pressure, leave himself open and get tagged BIG and Witter can put him away early - stamina won't be an issue.

I thought that aswell, but I would like to see Witter's power when he was backed up and not on the front foot. Torres was hurting Cotto when he was tight up on the ropes and had quite little leverage - can Witter do that?

I'm not doubting Witter punching power, but early on his career the Sky Sports folks used to laugh at his nickname when he was more a back foot fighter - cause he never put them away. Will he be able to dictate the centre of the ring against Cotto?

Also that stamina question, I noted in his last two contest that his power fades when he fades - Witter would probably have to get him out.

I appreciate that Torres' opposition has been weak - but no doubt he is a puncher. Cotto has been in with too many respectable punchers to all of a sudden look very chinny. You could also tell by his punching technique that he is a punch - very sharp offensively.

I think Cottos chin must have either been destroyed by weight making, ala Jones JR, or something as his ability to take a punch went downhill fast when e weighed 158 for Corley - 18lbs of weight after weigh in - can't be healthy. I really wonder how 18lbs of water loss is even possible. Everyone talks about Hatton been Ricky Fatton but Cotto is the real porker of the division.

I don't think Witter would be forced on the back foot that early. His switching may mean he gets caught but it also means he will open Cotto upto some seriously big hooks and shots from strange angles.

Lets see if its a fight that ever happens anyway. Hopefully Branco disapears from all rankings - if only

I hope we don't have to see Lauri-Witter again - a repeat of Calazage-Veit 2

I find that very worrying. No way should a fighter be putting on 18 pounds in so short a time, its crazy and dangerous. If Cottos people aren't careful they are going at the very least see his career ruined by this weight making....

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:

stujones wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Cotto was seriously hurt twice in his fight and I'm sure Witter would have tagged him big and put him away. There was the risk that Cotto would be in great shape but I bet as Junior watches Cotto been hurt it was him in there. Hindsight a beautiful thing. BTW just looked at Ricardo Torres previous opponents and they are pretty awful.

Witter needs to push for a Cotto fight, a big name that looks very vunerable and seems to do the wrong thing when hurt. Cotto won't counterpunch like Kotlenik he'll try to pressure, leave himself open and get tagged BIG and Witter can put him away early - stamina won't be an issue.

I thought that aswell, but I would like to see Witter's power when he was backed up and not on the front foot. Torres was hurting Cotto when he was tight up on the ropes and had quite little leverage - can Witter do that?

I'm not doubting Witter punching power, but early on his career the Sky Sports folks used to laugh at his nickname when he was more a back foot fighter - cause he never put them away. Will he be able to dictate the centre of the ring against Cotto?

Also that stamina question, I noted in his last two contest that his power fades when he fades - Witter would probably have to get him out.

I appreciate that Torres' opposition has been weak - but no doubt he is a puncher. Cotto has been in with too many respectable punchers to all of a sudden look very chinny. You could also tell by his punching technique that he is a punch - very sharp offensively.

I think Cottos chin must have either been destroyed by weight making, ala Jones JR, or something as his ability to take a punch went downhill fast when e weighed 158 for Corley - 18lbs of weight after weigh in - can't be healthy. I really wonder how 18lbs of water loss is even possible. Everyone talks about Hatton been Ricky Fatton but Cotto is the real porker of the division.

I don't think Witter would be forced on the back foot that early. His switching may mean he gets caught but it also means he will open Cotto upto some seriously big hooks and shots from strange angles.

Lets see if its a fight that ever happens anyway. Hopefully Branco disapears from all rankings - if only

I hope we don't have to see Lauri-Witter again - a repeat of Calazage-Veit 2

Have to say I saw Lauri's last fight - I think that might be Witter's most impressive performance to date. I was impressed with Lauri. He's not going to break into world class but I think he can be a European title successor to Witter.

And if my Auntie had bollocks she'd be my Uncle.

Torres showed the balls to take this fight and give it everything he had - Witter took a rain check ( just like he did with his last WBO chance against Pinto ) I think that tells the difference between the three fighters.

Witter might hurt Cotto early, but the Puerto Rican would come back, and that'd spell the end of Witter's effort I think.

MightyWarrior wrote:Torres showed the balls to take this fight and give it everything he had - Witter took a rain check ( just like he did with his last WBO chance against Pinto ) I think that tells the difference between the three fighters.

Witter might hurt Cotto early, but the Puerto Rican would come back, and that'd spell the end of Witter's effort I think.

Neither Cotto nor Witter have tremendous stamina.

Witter was also right to duck out of the fight this time round, no question. I was less convinced about the Pinto skipping, but I think Witter's grown much more as a fighter since then anyway.

But Witter would hit Cotto as hard as Torres and more often, and would get hit less. You'd have to pick him.


I agree with the weight-making points above as well. Cotto's probably doing himself a disservice in the medium term. Did you see how little he was sweating after the fight?

But realistically, is it not the case that maybe the general view of Cotto has been that he's more advanced than he really is. He might be a belt holder with numerous defences but he's not much more than a young contender.

boxingchat wrote:And if my Auntie had bollocks she'd be my Uncle.

She probably is..... 8) :x

Other than a marking time fight the Colin Lynes fight seems a bit of a waist of time to me. I can't see it lasting too long I just hope Hennessy is on the phone to Cotto and other top 5 fighters trying to arrainge the next big fight.

boxingchat wrote:And if my Auntie had bollocks she'd be my Uncle.

Enough of your transgendered relatives

just a quick question what will be the status of Lynses IBO belt if Witter wins this one? Its not the best belt but they do have well respected rankings and Witter could do worse than hang onto it for a while and make a couple of defences.

I still feel Witter did the right thing by saying 'NO' to the Cotto fight, he obviously knows what it takes to stand in at the last minute i.e. like he did with Judah and probably felt that a fight as big as Cotto needs more preperation time.

Foggy wrote:I still feel Witter did the right thing by saying 'NO' to the Cotto fight, he obviously knows what it takes to stand in at the last minute i.e. like he did with Judah and probably felt that a fight as big as Cotto needs more preperation time.

I aggree it is no body contenders who take fights at the last min if you are ranked by all the bodys then you can afford to wait for a time your most likely to win

josh fg wrote:just a quick question what will be the status of Lynses IBO belt if Witter wins this one? Its not the best belt but they do have well respected rankings and Witter could do worse than hang onto it for a while and make a couple of defences.

Lynes will have to drop it. Yo ucan't hold/challenge for a Euro title if you have the IBO/WBU to my understanding

josh fg wrote:Other than a marking time fight the Colin Lynes fight seems a bit of a waist of time to me. I can't see it lasting too long I just hope Hennessy is on the phone to Cotto and other top 5 fighters trying to arrainge the next big fight.

dont write lynes off, he wouldent be giving up ibo belt if he wasent looking to win, he has some good wins on his record to.

even a noted witter hater like me agrees with this thread.

cotto looked for the taking on saturday night. witter deserves a title shot and cotto would be ideal.

I think Cotto's dodgy punch resistance is largely due to his renowned struggles to make the weight. I think the sooner he moves up the better, as he was getting whacked around by Torres on Saturday i was worried about his health, losing all that weight cannot be good for him in the long term.

I was out on a jolly at Brands Hatch all day Sunday, so I didn't see the fight until this evening, and I have to say that a suspicion I've had for a while was confirmed, at least a little bit:

Basically Cotto, for all his undoubted class at times, does not like being forced to work at a higher tempo. That watertight defence that was being praised by all and sundry not that long ago looks less impressive when Cotto is backed up. There have to be doubts about the chin as well. Certainly, Torres looked like he carried a very decent whack, and his record suggested that. But Cotto was hurt by non-puncher Corley, so just how hard does Torres hit? I'd like to see him against a few more decent fighters before judging his power for definate. Regardless of that, Cotto showed he can be hurt. Yes, he pulled himself back from the brink (with the help, at times, of some very dubious low shots), but you'd have to say that someone with either a little more experience, or in Torres' case, perhaps a bit more time to prepare, could have put Cotto away in that second round.

Witter would certainly have a shot at hurting Cotto early, and may well be able to put him away. I still say he'd have to do it early, mind.

Probably the most interested observer was Hatton. I've long fancied Hatton's relentless style would make Cotto uncomfortable; after Saturday, I'm even more convinced. Torres hammered Cotto for 2 minutes; Hatton would do it for the full 3, and then come back for more the next round. I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised to see team Hatton looking for a Cotto fight, should he get past Maussa.

Finally, I agree with everyone else: A lot of Cotto's problems may be due to weight-making. If it's that bad, he should be at 147 asap.

I wonder if Cotto is so tight at the weight he might in any case consider moving up to welterweight. Admittedly there may be some big paydays at LW for him (like Mayweather & Hatton), but equally I'd have thought there'd be some decent paydays at welterweight too, such as a fight against Judah, and in any case I wonder if Mayweather would go up to welterweight himself for a big fight.

I must be the only one who gives Cotto full marks for his last fight

Torres was a massive puncher.

And Cotto still out punched him, yes he almost got stopped a few times but the result was still a stoppage win..for him.

Would any of the others at the top of stayed up to win like Cotto did?

Mayweather hasn`t really been tested at 140lb..sure he beat Gatti but almost all the other contenders would have beaten Gatti that night.

Witter would have back-peddaled himself out of the ring once he`d tasted a punch like that.

And Maussa would have caught so many within a round not even his solid chin could have shrugged them all off.

Cotto made it a hard night but Torres I think is better than Cotto made him look and every bit the puncher he showed himself to be.

How on earth you give cotto full credit for nearly being stopped against a man who had fornicate all prep time, and has never stepped up anywhere near this class is beyond me mate.

this was supposed to be a cakewalk for cotto, and he amde it into a nightmare with crap tactics, poor execution too left hand happy and aporous defence.

if thats fuill marks well then, you are obviousty seeing somethin im not.

Cotto had met him in the amateurs so he knew he was not green.
Just because he`d fought at this level before did not mean he couldn`t survive here.

Sure it was short notice but that does not take anything away from a puncher who gets the majority of his wins early..before the 5th.

And would you dismiss him against any of the other title holders?

Sure Cotto fought bad tactics but he still won.

yes i would all but Maussa.

So in actual fact judging by the comments above you agree, hje hadnt fought at that level before, he did take it on short notice and cotto did struggle with him. In fact if the guy was more seasoned he would have knocked cotto out cold in the 2nd and 5th, he just was too eager to get him out of there and should have picked his punches (specifically the 5th when he was tiring and just wailing away).

So that makes a good performance then for cotto, oh i see

if you are seriously suggesting Torres would give either mayweather or Hatton terrific problems then .......well good luck.