Fights wherefootwork made the difference, and didn't get the credit

Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito

This fight, in reality, came down to footwork. Cotto was throwing shots on the backfoot, in retreat, getting no leverage and solid base. As such, his shots, while fast and flashy, clearly generated no substantial force. Rather than stay on the balls of his feet while on the move, ready to suddenly plant and let it go, he walked almost directly backwards, and was thus unprepared to fire, and unprepared to get hit, losing balancing and taking shots with his neck when he was. Margarito didn't cut the ring very well, but he was very dogged, and when he planted his feet, he threw might tremendous leverage; Watch Margarito's feet during the combinations he throws where he does tremendous damage, they are perfectly positioned, and he is using his legs to generate tremendous power when he throws.

 

In Vegas, they supervise the hell out wrapping hands. Have a hard time believing he got away with concrete in Vegas.

For my money, the fight came down to one guy getting leverage on his shots and advancing while having a base under him, and another guy spending himself retreating like he was running backwards(Tiring when one does it for 30 minutes) while not getting much power behind what he was throwing back.

Cotto did a MUCH better job in the rematch of keeping his feet under him. Generated much better force, spent less energy, actually clinched some.

 

ABSOLUTELY.

So dependent is Junior on leverage from a firmly rooted base, that he refuses to throw punches when he doesn't have his feet planted.

All Martinez had to do was use his supreme lateral circling and avoid the ropes, and little Chavez stopped punching. The 11th and 12th rounds, for my money, looked like Martinez fatiguing and getting lazy, and finally stalling on the ropes. I saw Junior making no adjustment worth noting.

Martinez moved so much, throw so many sharp punches, he must have been exhausted.

 

I thought DeGale easily won the fight.

I am now going to watch it again and pay attention to the feet.

 

I just saw him land the harder shots and really come on.

Merits a rewatch, though.