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

The uppercuts Cotto was eating at the end are a fair point;he started crouching in the clinch in the center of the ring. It seemed to me like he was trying to push Margarito back, and Antonio would suddenly move backwards and create a space in which he was able to land his uppercuts. They all looked like arm punches to me though; against the ropes, Cotto will have more leverage to keep his balance and potentially smother Floyd's right arm. One thing about the philly shell defense against the ropes is that since the left is used primarily for defense while the right switches between guarding the face and counter-punching, if you're able to smother or isolate the right hand, you're halfway home in terms of neutralizing the defender.

And yes, I'm glad people are able to recognize this scenario is on Cotto's best possible night.

 

Great post, I agree fully.

Had you asked me too? Crap, must have missed that! Thank you man, I'd readily sit down and do the same, I'm always open for that kind of discussion (it's also why I translate so much of JMM's work.) I hope to hear what your thoughts are. We'll see how things are looking as the build-up progresses.

Word. And yes, stranger things have happened in the sport, for sure.

Fair enough, it is indeed a tall order. I'm glad you enjoyed the read, thanks for stopping in.

 

Yup. Isolating that right hand should be a tactical priority. Otherwise, it will indeed be a long and painful night.

Nobody has no chance.

 

Thanks man.

I definitely think Floyd will have a chance to do the more accurate work on the inside, but it all depends on Cotto's balance and the way he leans on him. He showed tighter punches and more savvy movement in the clinch against Margarito, and if he doesn't hunch over like he used to, he'll be able to see the uppercut easier and smother/block it. As I mentioned before, isolating the right hand in the pocket should be a tactical priority, and I think Diaz will be making sure to drill that during camp. With a Philly Shell defense, a smothered or isolated right hand really limits your options because of the way the stance is angled (Chavez was a master at using his left arm/elbow to smother the right hand on the inside.) A lot of people smother their punches and allow Floyd to clinch and restart, or catch them coming in. If Cotto leans, shifts his body weight, throws short combinations, and then maybe restart to offset his rhythm, it could work very well for him.

Thanks man, I'm glad you see my post for what it is. If the fire is back in Miguel, then I think there's a chance his passion and the technical discipline invoke by this trainer can lead him to a victory, or at least a spirited offensive attempt. And I completely agree that Cotto's mentality has a lot to do with it. My instincts tell me that if Cotto was able to trade with Margarito without fear and still have the sharpness to be defensively responsible throughout, that he'll be on point against Mayweather as long as he still has some fight left in him, just like the Cotto of old would have done. And I agree, let's continue technical conversations that don't involve nut-hugging and bashing. Celebrating fighters is always the better route to take for boxing fans :good

 

Floyd's versatility and ability to adjust is the most dangerous thing about him, which is why I urge Cotto to try and give as many different looks as he can.