I think many people claim Margarito took something out of Cotto (in a big way) after the fight, because of the state of Cotto's face after the fight. He looked in a bad way and took a lot of shots. He had been in tough fights before aganist Torres and Mosley, but thats it (Judah caught him, but not a lot). I understand this punishment could affect some fighters badly. I think most would agree Fernando Vargas was never the same after wars with Quartey, Winky and Tito (at least part of the reason). In that case Vargas took mroe punishment than Cotto, but not much more IMO. Different fighters react differently to punishment. Cotto has changed his style since that loss and is less of a methodical brawler. He places more emphasis on his jab, lateral movement and throws more right hands. As a result his famed bodypunching was missing for the most part for like 4-5 fights (excluding the Mayweather fight, obviously). I've seen all of Cotto's fights and while it would now make more sense for him to be past his best (punishment from Pacquiao and Clottey considered) I just don't see it. I'm of the opinion if this Cotto is worse than the one in 2005-2007 period he isn't significantly much worse. He has only been outsped by Pacquiao and Mayweather, amnd while I admit he is a little slower (at 154 as well) he never was that quick. He doesent' hit as hard but he fights at a higher weight where he is very small so it makes sense. Sometimes I just get the feelnig people overestimate how past Cotto is past his best because they see how bloody his face was after the Margarito loss and are used to seeing him being caught with them uppercuts in the 24/7's etc. This isn't me trying to give Floyd more credit or anything, just something I've thought for a while. Any else agree, or do most people think Cotto ain't the guy he was 4-5years ago?
The guys mentally broken!! 5 years ago he was a beast and had the fight happened then it may have been different (plus dudes softened up a bit kissing his kids and crying every 2 seconds)!!
Cotto proved me wrong a little last Saturday night in the Mayorga fight and Margarito 2 I saw a look in his eyes and on his face when ever he got caught good and it looked like there were tears in his eyes i thought that it was a sign that Cotto was finished he just needed the right guy to pound on him I figured after 4 rounds Mayweather would land something really significant and Cotto would make that face and be on the retreat I was wrong, maybe its because Floyd isnt a titan of a puncher or maybe Cotto has recovered since the bad losses I mean its 2012 how longs it been since he took a beating maybe it was all mental all along and beating Margarito up lifted him,,maybe Floyds style as a counter guy and not a face first brawler KO guy helped Cotto be successful who knows we will just have to see his next fight
I think the Pac loss was almost as punishing as the first Margarito fight. . . Pac took it easy on him, just like he did Margarito in the championship rounds.
But I don't think Cotto is "shot" by any means. . . But it's hard to argue that a boxer doesn't leave a little piece of his soul in the ring after losses like that. . . Or really, even if they're wins. . .
I agree, I just don't really think its worth mentioning with Cotto almost. I just don't see it in his fights. He still shows aggression when he needs tp and his hearts obviously still there. Its just people always throw out past-his-best when taking about Cotto and I'm not sure that should be the case.
