What Can Cotto Do to Become an ATG?

Martinez.

 

I have much respect for Cotto but i dont think he can take Martinez. Too powerful and fast. Alvarez safest bet, although i was impressed with Alvarez this weekend. He's a beast, his stamina and output are questionable though, but so are cottos. I think Cotto has his place in HOF imo. Hes faced the top two pound for pound fighters, and guys like Mosley, Judah, Margarito, Mayorga, Malignaggi, etc. Hes had a good carreer. Would prefer for him to hang them up now than taking the risk of getting beat by an Alvarez or Martinez. Although a Pacquiao rematch could be win win for him. Loses, doesnt affect legacy, wins and well you know the rest.

 

Martinez would be a very tough fight if he was pushed to the limits, because the guy has amazing speed and power which he didn't use that much in his last fights, and, I believe, reach advantage. Cotto's my favourite fighter and I thought he had a good chance against Mayweather which seems to have proved to be true, but Martinez might be all wrong for Cotto. But I'm not that sure, it could be close fight.
Cotto would beat Alvarez and Kirkland in my opinion, he's too skilled for them, and they don't have the speed or reach of Martinez. Against those two Cotto would control the pace of the fight and get a relatively comfortable decision.

Edit: Wow, Martinez reach: 191 cm, Cotto's reach 170 cm. So Cotto would have to pressure and take very hard shots. No, Cotto shouldn't fight Martinez, the guy's too big.

 

Never understand people calling out for non-shot fighters to retire. Cotto was just competitive with arguably the top guy in boxing right now, what should he retire for? Cotto should go after Canelo, the IBF belt, or even the WBO unknown Russian guy to become a titlist again and push for a Pacquiao/Mayweather rematch.

 

What Can Cotto Do to Become an ATG?




Nothing, hes just not one thats all. :deal
No harm no foul. :good

 

He can maybe fight Martinez, but health wise, I don't think that would be too smart.

 

Rematch either Pacquiao and Floyd and beat them. Cleaning out 154 completely might give him a case, but beating an ATG close to their peak would actually accomplish it IMO.

 

He's essentially been ousted out of 2 divisions now. Maybe if he beats Martinez, because at this rate no matter what he does at JMW, he'll have that loss to Floyd looming over it and ironically help serve to boost Floyd's legacy

 

He's had two shots at two different legit ATG's at two different points in his career, while they were considered on top. He fought the greatest offensive fighter of his generation and the greatest defensive fighter of his generation. He lost clearly both times. His opponents certainly knew they'd been in a fight but he still lost clearly both times. He shouldn't be considered an all-time great by anyone. He's never even proven to be the dominant force in any of the three divisions he earned a title in. There are too many knocks against him. To become one, now? I don't know what he could do, honestly. Avenge his losses? If he beat Martinez, he'd at least be the linear champion for once but Martinez is also in his late thirties and he doesn't have a big legacy in the sport himself, quality as he is. I don't see anything really out there for him that is both realistic and definitively going to get him ATG regard, honestly. He'll make a very nice addition to the HOF though.

 

All respect to Cotto but he's just not ATG material.

 

He might make it to the hall of fame, but as of right now, after the wars he's been in, nothing that he can accomplish realistically can turn him into an atg.

If he would have beaten pac or may, he definitely would be.considered one.

 

I can see no way he won't, at this point. He's been one of the most popular and accomplished active fighters in the world for some time now. And logged some of the most television time too. Dramatic and controversial television time at that.

 

He'll already be in the Hall Of Fame but he'd have to do something insane like beat Floyd in a rematch, or beat Martinez for legit ATG status. He's probably a top 80 fighter right now.

Hard to rate a guy an all-timer when he's lost decisively to the 2 best guys he fought, regardless of the catchweight. Big fan though, he's had an exciting career.