Once and for all - OBJECTIVELY, why did Cotto vs. Martinez play out as it did?

How much was the knee how much Cotto's temple shot?

Or roughly an even mixture?

 

A number of factors came into play I think the Floyd Patterson theory of the left hook working well vs a southpaw also helped create an interesting point of attack for Cotto.

 

99% knee. Sergio shouldn't have been in the ring.

 

:good

 

I do feel his decrepitude played the larger part but I do also believe him about the left hand fucking him up pretty badly early on.

I'd say more like 70-30?

 

Martinez knew he couldn't compete due to injury was simply there for a payday.

 

Obviously it was the knee because that's what Roy was screaming as soon as Cotto belted Sergio with a massive left hook. And since that fits my love Sergio or hate Cotto agenda it makes perfect sense to ignore what I see and go with what I hear.

 

Probably true, but I also don't think he was expecting Cotto would come at him the way he did. He was probably expecting to lose a lackluster decision.

 

50% Knee
50% Cotto AKA The Pink Shirt Diva:deal
:hat

 

Even the biggest Cotto hater couldn't deny it was both. Regardless of injury, Cotto was immense. We all knew Martinez's knee was messed up before the fight began but few if any picked Cotto to win...and I doubt anyone picked Cotto to knock him down and force him to retire.

 

70-80% the knee, although i do feel that Cotto gives a prime Sergio all he can handle as well.

 

Sergios leg was shot it was gone you could tell from the opening bell

 

Was his knees, you could see the problems he had with his balance and footing throughout the fight. The fact that Martinez has gone on since then to retire because his knees do not allow him to box anymore says it all.

Even the commentators at the time mentioned that Martinez looked "stiff legged" on multiple occasions in the fight.

 

The hook to the head would have never happened if Martinez had his knee working - his athleticism and movement were his defence, take the mobility away and he becomes a sitting duck.

 

Cotto was pretty quick and explosive that night, though, more so than I think anyone including Martinez anticipated.

It wasn't like Martinez was untouchable. His toes barely ever came off the canvas in his career. He was always something of a flat-footed shuffler. He was just quick enough (and most of his opponents slow enough) and with good enough reflexes & ring vision to avoid getting hit even with his arms down and w/ hardly ever picking up his feet.

MAYBE it wouldn't have landed - but maybe it would have.