Cotto's skills: are they going down hill?

I think Margo beat (cheat) the heart out of Cotto...but under Steward's wing I'm sure he has more left. The guy is still young and can box.

 

Many of you might not agree with me, but I think having Steward as a trainer is hurting him more than helping him. Yes Steward is a pro at teaching boxers the fundamentals of the sport and makes them more patient in the ring. Problem is, that's not what made Cotto into a champion. Cotto was known for being a relentless body puncher and when he had you hurt he would go for the kill. Under Steward I see a more laid back relaxed Cotto. He seems more patient and more inclined with trying to outbox his opponents rather than using the tools that made him a success. He would use his boxing skills to set up an onslaught. Now he seems to just try outboxing opponents and has lost his killer instinct.

 

What worked at lower weights may not necessarily work at higher weights. Specially when he is a small LMW

 

Problem is Cotto cant fight going backwards and as a boxer lacks certain fundamentals.

 

Not when the pressure is on. We've seen it several times especially with Marg and Mayorga.

As for what he lacks, i'd say defense. If a wildman like Mayorga can land that many punches on Cotto, his defense is far from superb.

 

If you think so then I must ask WHICH FIGHT WERE YOU WATCHING?

 

I disagree... Steward is going to add a couple years on to Cotto's career. Cotto was jabbing beautifully against Mayorga and he wasn't getting hit with nearly as many upper cuts as he was getting nailed with prior to getting with Manny. Cotto still turned on the gas when he had too and threw some nice combinations on Mayorga. Cotto didn't get the ko until the 12th, but Mayorga is the biggest fighter Cotto has ever faced and he is tough as nails. I think what Steward tries to get his fighters to do is soften up their opponent with the jab and take them out in the later rounds. If Cotto continued fighting the same way he did against guys like Torres earlier in his career, he would not have a career anymore... nor would he have a future in the sport. Say what you want, Cotto is still an exciting fighter under Steward IMO.

 

Yes Mayorga missed A LOT of punches, but he also landed A LOT of punches that he shouldnt have with those wide looping punches.

 

Of course Steward will add a couple yrs to his career since Steward makes fighters passive with his jab jab jab and box style. Look at Wlad. He has all the tools in the world to take his opponents out in dramatic and exciting fashion, yet he chooses to jab them to death before delivering a KO punch.

 

I think the game overrated Cotto. He was a solid B/B+/A- fighter with a compelling story and even more compelling style. No more. No less.

The smashed through smaller divisions. OK, but he was cutting to get int them. As he moved up it got harder. By the time he got to 140 he was being put on the canvas. At 147 he literally resorted to dirty tactics. When he finally ran into guys he couldn't muscle or use dirty tactics? He was destroyed and hasn't been the same since.

 

Cotto's main weapon was his relentless offense. He was never knows for his defensive excellence. He's eaten big punches from pretty much everyone he's faced. Yes he can box but he's more succesfull when he backs you into a corner or on the ropes and unleashes on you. Now he seems more compelled to land one or 2 shots then back off.