How I would prepare Cotto to fight Mayweather. (Technical thread)

What makes you say this?

His loss to Margarito?

People don't understand that Margarito uh...can take a punch to say the least.

He got his brains beat out by Pacquiao, yet he was still standing, still coming foward.

In the second fight with Cotto, Cotto delivered a hell of a beating, and boxed beautifully, but Margarito was still coming.

Let's say that Cotto rushed Margarito or rushed Pacquiao.

I think he would have been knocked out quickly if he attempted this strategy.

Cotto has very good mobility and since he finally established his right hand, he's a very well balanced, complete fighter.

 

This is a good read, but if all of the above fails, can Cotto think on his feet well enough to adapt to Floyd, once Floyd figure him out?

 

Completely agree with the importance of the jab. No fighter, even Mayweather enjoys dealing with 3, 4 or 5 jabs. It's unpleasant and pushes you back, as well as blinding you. Cotto's only chance in my opinion is to keep Mayweather pinned to the ropes (where Mayweather fights very well). To negate this I'd then have him move to Mayweather's left when he gets close and throw big hooks to Mayweather's solar plexus and stomach. Then get him to swing back round to the right and throw rights, and repeat. You can't stand in front of Mayweather on the inside, he'll smash you with uppercuts and all sorts of crazy stuff. No one has swung to different angles on the inside. I'd try that. Mayweather's defence is styled to avoid punches when his opponent is in front of him, change the angle and move to the right, and that left hook is going straight into his face.

I'd also agree with the importance of feinting. He's got to change things up. Mayweather's ring IQ is through the roof. If he spots a pattern he'll capitalise - every time.

 

Attack in combinations never a single shot, pivot and reset. Double and triple up against the shoulder roll(when on the ropes) making him turn towards the punch instead of with it. Versatility is key here though Floyd has never been in the trenches.

 

He takes a long time to think. Lacks this fluidity or dynamism. No 'special effects'.

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Thinking too hard on where to move his right hand for parrying.

It was over for him the moment he was limited to boxing off the backfoot the last time he fought an elite fighter.

 

I don't think Mayweather needs to use his legs as much as he would against say...Pacquaio for instance who throws from multiple angles and sometimes lunges.

I think Mayweather just has to keep the fight in the center of the ring, and use just enough lateral movement to keep Cotto from setting his feet.

 

What would you advise for Floyd to do when Cotto(e)'s back is on the ropes?

 

Leon, I'm not exactly sure what your criteria is, but I don't think anybody ever said Cotto is as good at defending as Mayweather is.

Also, the clip you showed is against a great fighter.

If Cotto rushed Pacquiao and played the roll of the aggressor, that fight wouldnt' have gone past 2 or 3 rounds.

Pacquio was just the better fighter. There wasn't anything Cotto could have done to beat Pacquiao that night.

The best thing I saw all night was when Cotto managed to walk Pacquiao into punches.

And he did that because he was boxing off the backfoot.

I just fail to see why Mayweather, one of the best boxers in the sport and a great defensive fighter would choose to be the aggressor against a guy with smooth lateral movement, a great jab, and solid combination punching.

I think that's a stupid gameplan.

It's one thing if Mayweather manages to hurt Cotto, and then presses him in an attempt to finish the job, but to go after Cotto right away is not playing to Mayweather's strengths, and playing right into Cotto's strengths.

 

You are basing your statement off of round 9 of the Pac fight...:huh He's never been beat up by a boxer, both Margarito and Pac are volume punchers, nothing like Floyd.

 

He could attack, but I would attack cautiously with long range punches.

I would do enough to take the round, but I wouldn't take any chances unless I have Cotto hurt.

But why would Cotto's back be against the ropes unless Mayweather is chasing him in the first place?

If Mayweather is in the center of the ring, unless Cotto inexplicably runs to the ropes and covers up, it's not going to happen....unless Mayweather hurts him and then presses him.

 

Good assessment except for one thing. I disagree with you saying the Mayweather will be the physically stronger of the two fighters. He certainly has a huge edge in terms of stamina over Cotto but not physical strength...especially at 154. But I do agree that Cotto should focus on speed for this fight and come in as light as he possibly can without draining himself or effecting his strength... also, I don't see Mayweather being the aggressor until possibly the later rounds, when Cotto typically starts to tire.

 

If this is in fact the case, Cotto very well could outwork Mayweather and win the fight.

I think it would be a terrible idea for Mayweather to be the aggressor against a guy who not only can counterpunch and has good lateral movement, but has a great jab and throws in combinations.

If Mayweather wants to make it a hard fight and take punches in the process, then by all means, take this approach...

But if he wants to win the fight and come out mostly untouched, the center of the ring is the place to be.

 

Because he disagrees and has already stated walking Cotto(e) down will be his strategy. Done it in his last two fights against physically stronger and harder hitting opponents.

emmanuel is not a "boxer", but he did outbox Cotto(e). Cotto(e) was lured into abandoning his jab and tryna brawl. Floyd is no volume puncher, but he knows how to cut off a ring and maintain that distance that makes opponents feel uncomfortable. It happened to Shane Mosley.

It's been there before. Not out of the realm of possibility.