Even though I really think highly of Cotto, I wouldn't favor him against any of the ATG 140 and 147-pounders. I'm not saying he'd have zero chance but I wouldn't favor him against a single one.
I think he beats Taylor and Tsyzu. He hasnt shown any problems with speedy boxers. Whats Tsyzu going to do really? Cotto is equally as strong and brings a solid in game Tsyzu does not. Duran gives him hell.
Who on earth did Cotto beat at 140 that makes anyone think he could beat Kostya? Additionally he's a pressure fighter that looked vulnerable against only good punchers at that weight. Kostya would bury him, and I mean for 10.
Its true he struggled a bit to make weight and his chin was depleted a bit, but I think his overall skills are better than Tsyzu's, who basically had a probbing jab and righthand but a really good one. Cotto was not a fighter to get stuck on the outside and would be pressing the action. He has solid wins over Randall Bailey, Caesar Bazan and specifically his war with olympic conquerer Muhammad Abdullaeav, who was a solid guy until Cotto just ruined him, but I think his welterweight fights really are his biggest "name" wins. Cotto hasnt been buried by anyone yet, what makes you think Tsyzu could do it?
Well I think Kostya is one of 140's harder punchers, ever. He's also it's longest serving champion (all belts). He's got pedigree and power. Given that Cotto was seriously hurt by such leading lights as Torres and Corley, I don't think it's much of a reach to see Tsyzu going one better, espcially when you factor in the styles, which vastly favours him.
Cotto is a pretty hard puncher himself. Like I said youre right his chin was a little shaky at 40, and mostly because of weight depletion, but he always got up and finished by knockout. I dont know how you think Tsyzus style favors in the fight? Cotto is an excellent counterpuncher, and Tsyzu isnt as fast as the guys that you mentioned. Tsyzu likes to operate at distance, and with Cotto pressing Im not so sure it would play out like you think. Torres and Corely could also punch pretty good themselves.
Cotto might or might not be an excellent counterpuncher, but that certainly isn't his style. His style is pressure fighter. I wouldn't even call him a pressure counter-puncher, though you could argue that point. The bottom line is, you've got a pressure or pressure-counter fighter who in you own words has a chin that is "a little shakey" moving forwards into one of the hardest punchers in the divisions history. There's your style advantage. And Torres and Corley aren't in Kostya's league as punchers.
Hes definitely a pressure counterpuncher. How else would he have beaten Mosley and Judah? He didnt beat those guys with reckless abandonment? I wouldnt put Cotto in Phillips league either and he blasted Tsyzu out of there. Hatton beat him with sloppy pressure, although Tsyzu was pretty well past his best. Tsyzu would definitely be his most dangerous opponent at that weight, but I think your underestimating Cotto's ability. Hes not just a one dimensional slugger like you suggest.
Tszyu wasn´t a great puncher just because of his power but also, and imho mostly, because of his perfect timing, judge of distance and accuracy. On top of that he was great at playing possum to lure you. Can´t see Cotto not falling for this at least one time and this would be one time too much. Taylor´s habit of getting into a fight when he should box would give Cotto a good chance and while Cotto is bigger than JCC he isn´t as skilled. I think Taylor would get knocked out here and wins on points pretty clearly. Duran wasn´t the same animal at 147 as he was at 135 but he still sould be too intense for Cotto. Cotto would b finished after this one.
Probably, but it's the pressure part that's important here. Pressure fighter (of any kind) v puncher is a very obvious style advantage for the puncher, probably the most obvious style advantage. Understatement? I haven't suggested that anywhere. I'd consider Frazier a pure pressure fighter, but I definitely wouldn't describe him as a "one dimensional slugger". All of this is in the book though.
Aye, a composite puncher of good order, no question. In fact his pure power is overated by many, but it doesn't really matter specifically because of what you've mentioned.
