Miguel Cotto: still counted out

So, Cotto moves up to 154, beats an undefeated titlist who was expected to give him all sorts of trouble (even though he was favourite to win), looks as good as he has done in recent years and what happens? People start picking the victory apart and saying that Cotto was flattered by Foreman's limitations.

Well, why the hell weren't people saying that before? Plenty of knowledgeable opinion-former's suggested Cotto was shop-worn and that Foreman's time was now. They praised his footwork, his hand-speed, his underrated power and, after the fight? All those things were gone it seems. Then they still say Cotto struggled.

I'm sad that so many people are saying: "He'll lose if he steps up again." Anyone agree?

 

That's the whole thing. Every fighter has flaws. Manny Pacquaio struggles with guys who can back him and time him. Floyd doesn't like southpaws or volume punchers. Mosley struggles with boxers.

It's the fact that, soon as Cotto put on a really good performance, where he kept disciplined, people want to discredit it. I can certainly understand someone saying Cotto still needs to prove his capabilities against someone better, but let's celebrate him for doing what most people didn't think he'd do: outbox Foreman and control him all night with his jab.

 

What has that got to do with my point? Everyone gets battered by Manny right now. Stylistically, Margarito and Pacquaio are the exact types of fighter that Cotto would struggle with. One who's relentless in his pressure (1,000 punches a fight FFS) and can take almost all punishment thrown at him, and another who's so fast and busy (another guy that can throw 1,000 a fight) that few can keep up with him. And he had successes against both of them - it's not like he just rolled over.

So, two very unusual cases that he faced and lost to, along with a struggle against an awkward guy like Clottey, who he'd have beaten easily if he'd not been cut and had kept boxing smart rather than slugging.

Not sure that's cause to say he's faded particularly. He had a bad run, with some very impressive performances during that time - even in losing.

 

Williams brings volume but not much pop. Also, he's not difficult to find. If Martinez could land a hard timed counter early on because of Williams' recklessness (he throws a lot but most of them hit air - simple fact), so can Cotto. But I can see an SD either way.

Martinez was getting outboxed by Pavlik at some points using timing. Also, Martinez punches with poor form but hits deceptively hard. Can't see Cotto winning this against a guy who's effective at 160, but it could be interesting and close till the last third when Cotto gets stopped.

Angulo... well, I've not seen too much of him. Struggles with movement, can be outboxed, but applies steady pressure and punches hard. Cotto can definitely beat him, but this would be a thriller if Angulo can get off with some good combos. I'd go for a Cotto UD.

Cotto beats Cintron and does so easily. Cintron telegraphs his big right and his boxing skills are passable, but nothing special. Cotto's bodywork would take the life from the defensively weak Puerto Rican, and Cintron would fold around the seventh.

Not seen anything of Dzinzurik, but from what I've read he's well-schooled and technical, and would present Cotto with serious problems.

 

yes, you were. But it was still a good performance from Cotto. It's not like he struggled with Foreman, which would lead me to say Cotto was definitely faded. He outclassed Foreman in every department, only dropping one round by consensus on the scorecards.