My thoughts on how Cotto can use the tools at his disposal to beat Mayweather

Exactly. And if Cotto is successful at this tactic, he needs to switch it up the next round to keep Floyd guessing on what he's going to do next. Falling into a pattern because it is working can eventually work against you when the other fighger figures it out and adjusts, which Floyd is sure to do. And by then, it may be too late to switch it up because you got to worry about Floyd's success now. Instead of Cotto going through gameplans A, B, C, etc., I'd like to see him mix them throughout the fight. Go with A, when it is successful, move onto C for a bit, then to B and back to A.

It's gonna be a chess match on May 5th for sure. I just can't wait to see it unfold.

 

Roger Mayweather is talking a lot of **** and he's sounds like a complete Idiot on the on the ropes radio. I hope he got a good stragey because he's too overconfident for this fight. Upsets in boxing are made to happen, history repeats itself, just saying.

 

roger is always talking ****. i don't think it will make a difference on may 5th.

 

I think Ricky Hatton had the right idea as to how to quickly get into Mayweather's pocket and make it difficult for Floyd to adjust. However, once in the pocket, Hatton did not have the power or combinations to trade with Floyd so he had to hug and maul. Also, Hatton couldn't roll and punch his way out of the pocket without being blasted ny Mayweather. Cotto would have had a lot more success using this strategy.

 

Problem Cotto has is foot speed. He does not have the foot speed to get in to range and employ this tactic. Hatton had elite footspeed which was why Mayweather couldn't time him for a good number of rounds. In fact, I don't think I've seen his left hook miss as much against anyone as he did against Hatton...granted he started landing, and the left hook will be remembered for the beginning of the end for Hatton, but he was not accurate whatsoever with it that night.

 

If Ortiz can run down Mayweather, then Cotto sure as hell can.

 

Yeah, because foot speed has nothing to with that, at all. Ortiz actually has good foot speed, quicker than Cotto. Cotto has good, quick lateral movement. This is what will happen if Cotto tries to close the distance like Hatton did...

This content is protected

...maybe not the knockdown, but Mayweather will have a field day, mainly because Cotto's feet aren't quick enough to close the distance like that.

Cotto will have more success punching his way in, make Mayweather defend, and whilst he is defending/backing up in a straight line, punch some more to close the distance, then try to work on the inside.

If you can provide a video of Cotto ever closing the distance, or successfully employing a gameplan like that of Hatton against Mayweather, feel free. :good

 

Ortiz is more mobile than Cotto, certainitly going forward. He also has a large weight advantage to use.

 

The best and only way to beat Floyd is to look like Ellerbe cause he won't punch you back. Floyd will not punch his boyfriend. Other than that it's basically hopeless.

 

I pointed out the Foreman fight to you bogotazo when your were talking about Cotto's pressure and I said he used very intelligent pressure against a mobile opponent who was giving him tons of movement. And Ricky Hatton can be quicker all he wants coming in but he's very one dimensional, and that's not the quality you want fighting someone like Mayweather because if you can't do more than one thing well, than your chances are slim and Cotto can do more than one thing well.

 

I definitely see Cotto cornering Mayweather at some point or another, how much he lands when he gets there is the question. I just don't see Cotto closing the distance quickly like say Hatton, or even like he did against Foreman.

In terms of accuracy and snap in punches...

Mayweather >>>>>>> Foreman.

Foreman's whole gameplan was to employ a great deal of movement whilst essentially pot shotting. He knew he couldn't trade with Cotto, this is why even when he hurt his leg, he was still unwilling to engage in trading shots, and tried to move a lot.

Like my above post says, IMO, Mayweather would have a field day against these tactics. I'm hoping to see Cotto make Mayweather go on the defense with a shot or two, whilst moving his feet to close the distance, immediately throwing more shots, not allowing Mayweather to counter. Cotto knows he will have to take shots to close the distance, and I think they are preparing for this in his camp. But I think Cotto can have some success with this kind of phase work, combined with his good lateral movement.

 

I agree with everything you just said except for the comparison between Mayweather and Foreman. Your right about Mayweather having more accuracy than Foreman in terms of his punching but he won't be using as much movement as Foreman did and I don't see Cotto having a problem with Mayweathers style because although Mayweather is a great defensive fighter and has a quick retreat off the backfoot, Cotto uses intelligent pressure(as seen in the Foreman fight with all the movement Foreman used and Cotto never got off-balance) and can be very aggressive at times too when he wants to and I think those important qualities facing someone like Floyd. I also think Cotto has an underrated defense and underrated counterpunching ability coupled with everything else he has in his arsonel. Him turning southpaw from time to time, will also serve him good in the fight.