movement and fighting off the backfoot to frustrate Pacquiao? as was proven in the Mosley fight Pacquiao has trouble cutting off the ring (though in saying that he did successfully chase down Cotto in their first fight) but if team Cotto can come up with a gameplan based on movement (similar to the 2nd Marg fight but more advanced) could he eek out a decision? Now obviosuly Cotto doesn't have the technical or counter punching skills of a Marquez but he hits harder then Marquez and if he's able to pick his shots he may just be able to pull it off. Waaaar Cotto? anyone? :think
Doesn't have the reflexes or hand speed. He isn't going to be able to throw without not being hit himself. As soon as he lets his hands go he isn't going to be able to slip whats coming back at him. He will have to be very very conservative thinking defense first and avoid getting caught up in thinking he can hurt Pac. But the main problem is he isn't going to have the stamina to do it for 12 rds compared to Pac.
Im not sure he's athletic enough/has the reflexes to do it enough, he might be able to do it for 3/4/ rounds, but this aint margarito throwing slow ass punches his way. His stamina will come into play, and eventually he will be caught in a firefight, which we know from experience he cannot withstand.
He admitted to Stewart that Pac was too fast but Stewart claimed he could help him with some adjustments to counter that. He dropped Stewart though. Not sure if Stewart was right and I really don't know much about his last/current? trainer? Miguel needs to put in some time with one trainer if he is going to fight Pac again.
He gets too tired and becomes too sloppy later in fights now to implement the plan for a full 12. I think moving away from Pacquiao, using his jab, and countering with right hands would be his best option though.
I think he should alternate between using lateral movement and counter-punches with bullying Pac on the inside in spots and throwing combinations to the head and body. He showed great movement in his last fight, a tight guard, good head movement, and a very varied offense. It's feasible, as long as he keeps his lead foot on the outside consistently while moving backwards/circling and being defensively responsible while going forwards. But I'd be so torn if this fight happens. I love Cotto and would want him to win, but I would want Manny to fight Floyd first.
Cotto will need to show a lot of movement but the key will be if cotto can and will sit a lot more on his punches. You cant just move around slapping punches with not much power like he did vs margarito. He has to pick his spot to sit on his punches and trade then move around. If he cant sit on his punches to hurt pack and make him respect him then pacquiao will just walk him down. :hat
Cotto has the slowest reflexes ever. I can't count the number of times he tries to shoulder roll AFTER getting hit.
He was quite evasive in the latter rounds against Pacquiao, frustrating Pacquiao. He showed excellent footwork against Margarito, but that is Margarito. If he continues to sharpen up that area, especially the lateral movement, plus knowing when to exchange with Pacquiao...mainly on the inside, he could be more competitive. Speed is the difference though.