As I predicted, unlike the first first where Cotto slid across the ropes and got trapped in the corners of the ring, this time around we saw Cotto keep the fight in the center of the ring. Circling Margo in the center of the ring, Cotto was about unleash some pretty awesome combinations, lead right hands and left hooks. When Margarito went to respond Cotto tied him up, smothered his punches and at times, actually manhandled Margarito around the ring, almost throwing him down on several occasions. As I suspected would happen, Cotto boxed circles around Anthony who I had not winning even a single round. By staying in the center of the ring, Cotto was able to completely shutdown Margarito's pressure offense to the point of being almost totally ineffective. He also showed that Margarito was not the stronger man of the two by pushing Margarito back when he attempted to push Cotto back to the ropes. Great fight, with the better man winning. Good stoppage because there was no way Margarito was going to do any better then he had and at the point of stoppage, it was basically a one-sided fight. :yep
He punched, but as expected, Cotto blocked or picked of almost all of them. Cotto had Margarito off balance and punching air for all of the fight. Without his "hands of stone: Margarito loses to Cotto 9/10 fights.
IMO Steward had a better gameplan for cotto even though this gameplan with the new coach worked great. steward wanted him to stay on cotto and bang away to the body and back him up then pivot out.
This was an tremendous display of technical boxing skills...Cotto, completely disarmed Margarito of all his tools and left him stuck. We must remember that supposedly Margarito had the strength,power, height and stamina advantage. And as we seen last night, Cotto had all the advantages against the bigger man.
I would've liked to see Cotto punch more when he was pushing Margarito back. Those hooks to the body that he used to make guys cry with weren't there and there were spots he definitely could have thrown them.
Only thing that I can criticize Cotto for was not really commiting to his left to the body, his best punch. Still, targeting the bad eye and sticking and moving was a very sound gameplan. Gotta give credit for that.
NO. Diaz recognized the importance of Cotto being in GREAT shape and worked hard with him to ensure he can carry out such a plan for 12 rounds. Diaz is the real deal.