If you're going to use that logic, like I said, watch Cotto vs Urkal. Urkal used a style similar to Clottey's, but was no where near in the same class and it gave Cotto a hard time. Cotto looked bad, but at the same time, how do you expect Cotto to get up for Urkal? And how do you expect Clottey to get up for Flores?
Urkal used a defense similar to Clottey. Cotto at times was even on the defensive getting backed up by Urkal who was taking Cotto's shots, but just lacked the offensive ability to get Cotto into trouble. Cotto was just pounding away at Urkal's body with predictable, almost telegraphed left hooks. Clottey's defense is utilized to fend off that sort of attack. Do I think Clottey would beat Cotto? No. But the fight would be hard on both fighters, and Cotto would not just steamroll Clottey. People talk about how Clottey was forced to be on the defensive, but they never mention that Cotto was taking backward steps against Urkal. Either way though, in both of these situations, how do you get up for Urkal and Flores? Guys have off nights. Cotto doesn't have the style to beat Clottey unblemished. Cotto would win, but he would take a beating.
