I have never thought of Cotto as a "counter puncher"

Damn Antwuan, that is a fantastic .gif.

I hate to say it, but Cotto has lost a little speed since 140. He needs some of that snap back on Saturday.

 

LOL!:rofl

 

He doesnt have to be quick enough he just has to time it right, the way Marquez did and Morales did. Cotto has speed do not over look that... maybe not Pacquiao like speed but he does have quick hands

 

I can't wait for the weigh in. I'm very anxious to see how both guys look. Instincts tell me Cotto should just act like the bigger man, play the bully, and impose his size and strength on Pac. However, after watching Pac/Oscar again last night I'm not sure there will be all that much size difference.

 

This almost has the same Feeling that DLH vs Tito had back in 99 However its Cotto who is seemingly in Oscars position in terms of being the boxer and Pacquiao is in Titos position as being the puncher, any chance this fight turns out to be a chess match?

 

That is about as bad ass as it gets, countering a Randall Bailey right hand.

Ask Gato how well that usually works out.

 

It's a good point Dawg, he's not a natural counterpuncher, which is really the antidote for Manny's attack (see JMM x2). Also, a lot has been mentioned on Cotto's body attack, which in my estimation, has been completely abandoned throughout Cotto's time at welter. A focused and sustained body attack is what made him so dangerous as a junior welter, but he completely head hunted in the Margo and Mosley fights against guys who clearly were not phased by head shots. Cotto also has a tendency to keep a high guard, but with his elbows out, making openings for straight shots and uppercuts. I think it's a 50-50 fight, but the fact that Cotto is not a natural counterpuncher, has abandoned his body attack as of late, and is at times vulnerable to punches up the middle (straight left, uppercut), I think Pac takes it in a UD or a late stoppage.

 

I'd say level of competition and styles have played into the lack of body work. He never got a chance to really set his feet against Margo, he was too wary of counters from Shane, and Clottey just blocks everything downstairs. He absolutely crushed Zab and Quintana to the body (Well actually, he crushed Zab's nuts, but that's for another thread...)

If he can establish his jab and start making Manny think in there, I'm sure he unveils that left hook to the body.

 

I was truly impressed with Cotto in the Mosley fight. That's where he truly showed us that he had good timing, besides a very decent jab.

That fight made him reach another level.

Speed is one thing but I say timing is a notch above ! That's why Mayweather is SOOO good...he not only has great speed but he possesses the best timing in the game, a killer combination !! It's about knowing everything coming before it does...A very special talent !

 

Good stuff.

 

Cotto is can counterpunch but he isn't a counterpuncher. Alot of fighters can take advantage of an opening after their opponent misses a shot but a true counterpuncher will set up those openings purposefully, using his defense and generalship to force the opponent into creating those openings over and over again.

Thats what JMM did against Pacquiao, using mostly his footwork and his lead hand. I don't think Cotto has that kind of skillset.

I don't think Cotto has the defense to do that against Pacquiao. Unless he can take two or three shots to give one, this strategy will fail.

BTW, Pacquiao landed a shitload of counterpunches against Ledwaba in 2001. But noone will argue that back then he was a counterpuncher. He could definately counterpunch though.


Effective counterpunching starts with defense first and foremost.