When Reviewing Recent Cotto & Mayweather Footage

Two things stick out in mind. Ortiz and Mayweather were both fast, spry fighters/athletes. Ortiz was also fairly competitive, although Mayweather swept all 4 rounds (Lederman gave Victor RD2, the closest of the rounds). When Ortiz attacked, particularly when spontaneous or unpredictably he had his greatest moments of success (Mostly with his left hand). He had two pretty solid moments in that 4th round with Floyd near the ropes before the unfortunate ending due to Ortiz basically being a mental midget. What a shame considering he had the attributes and physicality to really give Floyd a tough fight.

I reviewed Mayorgo-Cotto (I have Margo-Cotto II sketched in my mind still) and Cotto looks noticeably much slower in comparison to Ortiz & Mayweather. Cotto also looks slower not just in comparison to Ortiz or Mayweather but also at 154 in comparison to the Cotto at 147 that fought Pac and Margo (Cotto may have made mistakes in those fights but he physically looked very good). Obviously Cotto is more skilled and experienced than Ortiz, but the speed differential combined with his physicality disadvantage seem hugely problematic. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Mayweather pitched a shutout.

The other thing that stuck in my mind was Mayweather is just damn good. Basically, Mayweather when comparing the tape is in another league than Cotto. His defense is so impressive and he just looks so damn sharp and mentally confident at this stage of his career. The fact he is fighting so quick and confidently on the front-fight is just impressive. It's hard to compare the pros and cons of a younger Mayweather at 147 versus Mayweather now. Mayweather is so confident at this stage that he seems to be at such a great level despite whatever physical declines may have transpired since his earlier WW days (Most suggest some speed and mobility). He's just so damn sharp. However, he's not unbeatable (For Cotto maybe, but not others).

 

Review the speed of Cotto in the Pac fight with his recent 154 campaign. Then watch 20 seconds of Ortiz-Floyd. It's a daylight of difference.

The Yuri Foreman performance wasn't this out of that world either. Margo was just a name when Cotto beat him.

Forget rating the performance. Watch his speed. Wild ass Mayorga may have been able to edge some of the exchanges because Cotto performed poorly (I do not think he performed that poorly), but Mayorga was able to land first at certain moments simply because Cotto is not nearly as agile and quick as he was during his WW campaign. Film doesn't lie.

Sure. But we're talking 38 year old inactive Mayorga. This guy would not even touch Floyd. Besides, I'm not talking about the performance I'm talking about how Cotto looked physically (In terms of attributes).

His combinations and particularly his movement looked better. No doubt it was a better performance. But again, Margo is ploddy as hell with basically zero defense. Compare Cotto's handspeed from Margo I to Margo II and it's obvious there's been a physical decline. More obvious than Floyd's physical decline despite Floyd's age IMO.

I'm expecting a lot of "Floyd is just so incredibly coordinated and fast in comparison to Cotto," from Steward tonight.

 

The point is less about Floyd than how much slower Cotto is at 154 than 147.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08kUTlcjCfU&feature=related[/ame]


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWIRAd8UGso[/ame]


In comparison to this.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPkskZe6POc[/ame]


The difference is almost as transparent as slow-mo to regular speed footage.

 

What can Cotto do, if he can't pull of what he wants to do? That's the point, I am not even sure if Cotto CAN win (outside of a lucky punch). Cotto at this stage just lacks the attributes and people with emotional investments aren't wanting to see this.

I would be more surprised if Mayweather lost a round or two than Cotto actually winning.