I don't think a loss would crush him here as long as it's a good fight and he doesn't get blown out. If this fight lives up to expectations it could be the first of a trilogy that makes them BOTH bigger names.
Cotto has a built in fan base that will not turn their backs on him so long as he continues to bring it. The guy lost a fight to a MEXICAN fighter (which is almost insta hatred from PR boxing fans) and forfeited in the process. He proceeded to almost sell out MSG against a relative nobody. Basically Miguel Cotto has earned his striped with the PR fanbase...so while it may be do or die for his career as the top WW in the division, he's pretty much locked as a star.
Most of the problems with Evangelista were due to the discrepancies in training and location this tells you who is in charge he calls out the shots he moved his camp from Puerto Rico to Central Florida where the largest Spanish group are Puerto Rican you know is going to be lots of distractions. Everybody knows he got excellent skills my concern is with his way of training. Have you noticed something nobody speaks for him or about him he represents himself he is the fighter, trainer and semipromoter always in full control.
Wearing soo many hats can often wear down your overall performance. I remember watching a video of Cotto training and his uncle was all the way on the other side of the room. And Cotto was basically training himself. So who knows whether that situation has improved for the better with his uncle gone now.
In a way. His career won't exactly be over, but things will start to look real tough at the top if he can't beat Clottey considering the Ghanaian would not be ranked alongside the absolute best. That will be 2 meaningful fights in 2 lost, since Jennings was a glorified sparring session for Cotto. Depends how he lost also. A real close loss wouldn't spell disaster, but a KO loss would bring up the same old questions. I think he should win on points, by work-rate and boxing consistently. I'm sure Clottey will frustrate him and have his moments, but I'll be disapointed if Cotto loses.
No. As some other posters have said, it will depend on how he loses..... Juan Diaz lost two fights just recently....Is he finished..... no he isn't.
BTW, can someone tell me the meaning of the tattoo on Cotto's neck? My wife thinks that it is really stupid.... the meaning that is... maybe it means something special for Cotto. My wife says that the meaning is... COME - MONTH - COME The way it sounds in MANDARIN = LAI - YUE - LAI
It's a must win for both fighters. Especially to get bigger fights. I'm still going with Clottey in this fight :bbb
Chances are Miguel saw that tattoo in a magazine and said "I want that" Cotto strikes me as the sort of guy who just wants tats to have them.