Miguel Cotto v Kostya Tszyu

I think it's more a matter of genetics, Winky has a very similar guard and takes big shots on it, but he doesn't swell up anywhere near as badly. I'd have to look at the fight again but I recall giving a few rounds to Abdullaev in there somewhere.

 

There's a difference between swelling (which most fighters get), and swelling that starts to obscure your vision. Abdullaev has those higher cheekbones, so it's just a fact of life in the pro ranks that didn't matter in the ams.

I remember thinking the judges were a little off with their cards, and we both know that happens often in this sport (Demetrius Hopkins immediately comes to mind). I remember a very tight fight, where Cotto came on past the mid rounds due to Abdullaevs' swelling. Boxa01 will hopefully get a hold of the fight so we can get a third opinion :yep

 

cotto's chin wouldent hold up to KT power full stop.

 

I don't think Tszyus' straight right was all that after the ankle surgery, he looked good against Mitchell, but Mitchell was stopped by both Williams and Floyd afterwards, so there are some question marks (that's also all we saw of him for 3 years). Tszyu's punch and legs were stronger in his prime, the Hatton fight isn't really a great measuring stick for that.

We should be talking about Tszyus' best performances if we're matching him up with the best Cotto, not his worst.

 

any version of Kostya between 1999 and 2002 beats Cotto.

i mean we saw Judah who hasnt got Tszyu's power or speed rock Cotto twice.
you think a Prime Tszyu would let Cotto off if he rocked him. Tszyu would finish Cotto off quickly.

As for Cotto's chance well all im going to say is Cotto wouldnt have known that was Tszyu's weakness (closing the distance down so it takes away his power), hell noone knew this was the best way to beat Tszyu until after the Hatton fight.

Cotto's to dumb and would play into Tszyu's hands. im not taking anything away from Cotto he is a huge talent but with a chin like that against a man like Tszyu.

Tszyu TKO 7

thats the way i see it sorry MSTR.

 

Mine mind wont change.

you ask why is because lets be honest here Cotto is better fighter at 147. and Mosley is well old.

but if this fight had of taking place it would have been at 140. so that means Cotto's Power and his tactics just wouldnt have been enough to get over the line.

Its not Cotto's skill or even his power. Its that poor defense he has and that average chin. the reason Hatton beat Tszyu was partly because of his style but i feel also is because he had a better chin than most people thought.

that type of chin against Tszyu spells one thing Trouble.

just ask Zab Judah.

 

I like both of these guys and not just because they stopped Judah, although that is a good enough reason..Prime Tszyu with his power and accuracy would stop Cotto imo. Iv'e seen several Cotto fights and he can be rocked by lesser punches than Tszyu. And for what it's worth Hatton did not face a prime Tszyu.

 

That's one of the reasons I was referring to Tszyus legs in my last post, Kostya always had a good set of legs to generate space when he needed it. Even against fighters that would constantly push forward (e.g, Tacky), Tszyu didn't have a problem generating space so he could put something more behind those right hands.

Another thing about the Hatton fight was that Tszyu was looking more towards the left hook to beat Hatton, so there wasn't as much emphasis on generating room for his right hand.

 

like ive said at 140 it isnt even close.
Tszyu TKO 7

but at 147 its a different fight.
it would be a close fight that could go either way. all i will say though if Tszyu hurts Cotto just once its over. thats at either 140 or 147 because unlike Judah Tszyu could finish with a devastating style.

but at 147 its harder for Tszyu the longer the fight goes. but its all speculation i mean if i had to say though Prime for Prime.
2007 Cotto vs a 2001 Tszyu. i have to go with Tszyu only because of one reason Cotto seems to get hurt by everybody. and if Tszyu hurts you in a fight its over. no matter at 140 or 147.

but if Cotto had of faced Tszyu before Hatton got to him who knows how the fight would have went. its all speculation. Cotto is good but lets be honest here he has more weakness's than Tszyu has and that hurts him in a matchup.

Tszyu TKO 7 at 140
Tszyu by TKO at 147 if he catch's Cotto or hurts him.
Cotto UD at 147 if the fight goes the distance though.

thats what i think.

 

I'd like to see how well Cotto takes a shot to the body at 147 first though, I think people favouring Cotto think his body punching would eventually break down Tszyu at the higher weight, but Tszyus' left hook to the body is more devastating and explosive than any single body punch in Cottos arsenal.