So What Was The Difference Between Pre Margarito Cotto and The present Cotto?

He has actually improved in age, although you can argue that wear and tear balances that out.

He is a lot more composed it seems nowadays.
His right hand has improved since surgery.
His lateral movement, and footwork in general (as a defense, etc) has improved under Diaz.
His defense has improved.
He is comfortable at his weight, evident in pushing Margarito back on occasions.
His power looks to be becoming more solid/used to the higher weight.
Above all else, he looks to be in love with the sport again, and enjoying his boxing.

 

about a thousand punches that landed

and a couple of those possibly were illegal in more ways then one

 

One bout isn't a great deal to go on, but I'm liking the stuff I am seeing in the training camps with Diaz. They look like they work great together, and their understanding is spot on already. I guess we'll see against Mayweather.

 

His ferociousness. But mainly his reaction to taking punches. Granted, he has never liked getting hit. He’s been like that throughout his career. But after Margarito it just got worse (understandably so). He’s not exhibited these frailties so much since the Pacquiao loss, but that’s because he’s been on a protected journey. A one-legged Foreman and a shot Mayorga won’t ask questions of him. And with the benefit of hindsight, neither does a one-eyed Margarito.

The main thing he’s probably improved on, though, is his ability to stay out of harm’s way (due to his even more dislike of being hit). Oh, and his right hand since the surgery. He feels more comfortable throwing that now. But honestly, without sounding harsh, he doesn’t look that different to before (which isn’t a bad thing – he was/is a brilliant fighter then/now). It’s just that I’m not gonna’ let that Margarito rematch fool me into thinking he’s a much improved fighter. A rematch that was almost a carbon-copy of the first, but with Cotto just doing a better job of spoiling and running to limit Margarito’s success.

I hope he proves me wrong in this next fight, though.

 

I'll not only agree with what you say, I would like to add that ever since Diaz started as his trainer, I've seen huge improvements in the following areas:

The Left Jab/Hook: Cotto has always had a good Left Jab and Left Hook, but now he hits harder than ever with them and can double-and-triple up with ease. For example, a good jab is not only a good tool to score points and batter your way through an opponents defense - it's also a great tool for negating speed - and Cotto will need this soon.

Physical Conditioning: Cotto moved more and expended more energy in the second Margarito fight that he did the first! Cotto's new trainer - Diaz - is a Physical Conditioning expert and his skill has already been proved by Cotto's excellent conditioning. Cotto will not fade.

Pedro Diaz: Cotto's new manager amazes me - the guy is the complete Teacher/Trainer/Conditioner and his university work and his work with the Cuban Boxing team and recent work with Cotto show it. I can think of no better Trainer for a Boxer - not even freddie Roach (and I've been a fan of Roach ever since he was a Boxer, so it's not easy for me to say that).

 

The difference is agneda.

Pac fans want cotto to be shot now. floyd fans wanted cotto to be shot as a result fo the margo fight.

Fighter's today have ridiculously short primes if you're to believe all the fanboy **** sprouted on these websites.

A guy like margarito or Mosley who haven't won a fight for 3 years, they can be called shot.

 

The difference is that Miguel is better than ever. He has a real trainer, and his passion is back. Physically, he's in great condition. The speed, power, and reflexes are all top form. He also no longer has to struggle to make weight.

Mentally, he's also in top form. Beating Margo's ass has reversed the pyscological damage caused by their first fight. He's accepted the passing of his father, and he has repaired his relationship with his uncle. He and is his wife are on good terms as well. Mentally, this Cotto is as sharp and confident as ever. I don't see anyone from 160 on down beating this version of Cotto. Absolutely no one.........................except Mayweather. Mayweather via decision.

 

Martinez and pacman would push his **** all the way in.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if marquez outpointed him neither.

 

Besides all of the aforementioned

A Blliant trainer.
Motivation
Improved arsenal
Stamina

 

I dont know to be honest....I think its hard to tell until we see the May 5th fight. To be totally honest those who are on one side of the fence or the other most probably have agendas - (die hard Pacquiao fans or die hard Mayweather fans)

Cotto is saying all the right things: he has his love back for boxing, Diaz is a great trainer he feels ready etc etc

But in all seriousness when have we heard a boxer say otherwise? Shane Moseley was ready to K.O Pacquiao and look what happened there?

I do think those two losses took something out of him, the Margo one especially as I dont think anyone could see anyway he could lose.

He was the superior boxer, superior athlete, had the amateur pedigree. I really think that loss cut him deep and then when he heard that Margo got caught cheating with Moseley it made the mental side of it get more complicated.

Admitadily his corner was rubbish in the Pacquiao fight but still what Roger says to Mayweather doesn't seem to be that enlightening either so I dont believe his corner was his down fall it was just a contributing factor imo

He does appear reinvigorated BUT we need to see him when the going gets tough, the guys who he beat Yuri, Mayorga & Margo are not elites to me.

Even if he loses the way he loses will tell us alot and we can make the judgement after the fight, I know there will always be people on ESB who will make knee jerk reactions or just be biased but it is what it is!

 

Shane Mosley quit after the first few rounds of his fight with Mayweather, so I was not surprised when Shane did the same during his fight with Pacquiao. To me, it seemed like Shane walked into those fights semi-retired - and just looking for a payday.

 

:deal

Pretty much this.