Simple answer is, he doesn't beat Cotto. I've seen Michael Jennings live on a few occasions and he is a decent pro, good footwork, pretty good chin but lacks a bit in the power department. Michael comes across as well grounded individual and will realise that he has an everest to climb to beat Cotto, but he will try...he certainly won't just lay down for the pay day. This is the absolute pinnacle of his career and his best pay day by far, whilst I think that he will be going for the win if he goes the distance and isn't whitewashed he will consider that a victory of sorts. I find the selection of Jennings as an opponent for a possible warm-up for a Cotto-Margo re-match a bit odd as Jennings is as far away style-wise from Margo as you could possibly get.
He will hit Cotto. And although Cotto will hit him with much harder blows, He will have the chin to withstand those shots until he can catch Cotto. And when he catches that glass chin... curtains! I know it seems a little far-fetched, but they are both professionals. He has a decent record, and has proven himself a worthy competitor. And although Jennings is relatively light-handed, I think he can hurt Miguel. We have yet to see how Miguel fares in his comeback. I'm not saying he's shot or anything, but we just don't know the extent of the damage whether it's physical ot psychological.
Cotto was dominated and made to submit for the first time in his life/career, like a dog handler breaking a vicious fighting dog for the first time. It is not unreasonable to say that the spirit /psyche could be affected to a great degree. Jennings makes perfect sense as Cotto should eat him up. BTW I agree in his interviews he does seem like a standup guy, I hope he comes in with a strategy and some tricks up his sleeve. Fighting Cotto straightup won't last him to the final bell with the amount he will be hit.
I like this post. Very respectful of a fighter just tryin' to do his thing. I must admit I don't know anything about Jennings, but just learned a little from your post. If all you say is true, I say GOOD for him! I seriously doubt he has a chance against Cotto, but he will forever be able to tell his family about the time he headlined a bill at Madison Square Garden against one of the premier fighters of his time. Again, GOOD for him. Now, lets just hope Cotto doesn't hurt the dude too bad.
I need to get a digi camera hooked up so I can show you cat's why I call myself Pipe Wrenched. It used to be on the tat artist web site though, maybe I can dig that up. It's pretty cool. I'm 4th generation Master Plumber, 4th to run the family business, and customers get quite the kick out of me having a big ass pipe wrench tattoo down my right fore arm. They always say: "Got damn! Now there's a real plumber!" .