His style hasn't changed that much. And honestly, it's a bit of a stretch to say he's a more rounded fighter - especially since his recent opposition has been a C-class Foreman, a 8-year past-prime Mayorga, and a one-eyed Margarito. If he wasn't in any position to beat Mayweather in 2008 (which is what a lot of Mayweather fans always claim), then he's definitely in no state to do it now. The little tricks he's picked up have come a wee-bit too late. He's not the same force he was back down at 147 a couple of years ago. Those Marg and Pac beatings took a hell of a lot out of him. But with that said, I'd still love to see May-Cotto now. The event itself would be huge.
Cotto definitely has a shot. He is intelligent in the ring and adjusts well. He has a great team right now and confidence. This is what he will need to get the job done. Floyd missed Ortiz a lot, more than I was used to seeing him miss, so I think he is on the slide a bit. He is more stationary with his legs and mainly uses his body and head movement to avoid shots. I think at this stage right now, it will be a very close fight between the two with Floyd getting a UD.
In theory he could apply the intelligent pressure that Castillo did, only Cotto is quite slow of foot and methodical, so I think he might give Mayweather too much time and space.
Did Cotto low blow Judah twice in that fight? was he losing pretty much every round before dropping Judah with a low blow? was Cotto struggling to adjust to the uppercut of Judah? was Cotto pissing blood? watch the fight and get back to me you idiot....the whole fight not just a 2 minute HBO Youtube highlight reel.
Cotto deserves the fight... But Mayweather is going to rip him to shreds. Cotto will at least make it a tough rumble while he can but Floyd will be too muh****in sharp. Maybe Mayweather gets old over night and loses a step before May 5? Probably not but thats what would need to happen for Cotto to have a reasonable shot at winning.
The Foreman fight might hold positives for Cotto because Foreman uses lots of lateral movement. Cotto was able to stabilize that movement by effectively cutting the ring down and sticking the jab on him. Therefore If Mayweather decides to use his legs Cotto will, in theory, be able to utilize that skill. There is obviously a difference between Yuri & Mayweather, but any lateral movement aint easy to stabilize when someones using that much, so...... This^ dependent on whether he does use his legs, which he might not, as he's tended to hold his feet recently. If he does that I can imagine him trying to use his reach to peck away at Cotto from a distance where he can hit Cotto, but where Cotto cant hit him. Cotto fights pretty squat, that coupled with a reach disadvantage might make it difficult for him to compete from range, particularly with Mayweather's reach advantage, speed. Cotto will most probably have to back him up and put the pressure on from behind that jab.
Cotto has good boxing skills, smarts(except for the Margo 1), size. He doesn't have good reflexes, quickness, or reach. For him to stand a chance of beating Mayweather he can't depend on his power to trying to knock Mayweather out. Looking for a knockout needs to be the last thing on his mind. He needs to focus on his defense and stopping Mayweather's arsenal first and his offense 2nd. Work his jab when he finds openings but remember defense first. Then if he gets Mayweather on the ropes use intelligent pressure and work the body, but again be smart with it and focus on timely shots not work rate. Even with all that Mayweather's footwork, quickness, hand speed, and reach are going to be major problem for Cotto. Mayweather can beat Cotto to the punch any time. Which is why defense needs to be priority at all times.
I can also see Mayweather looking to walk Cotto down and Cotto getting on his bike and using his jab.