the most important piece of the puzzle: Cotto must be able to assimilate Mayweathers punches and keep his balance at all times. The application of relentless pressure while always closing the distance behind his jab is also key. Once Cotto is inside he must commit with everything he has to the body and then come upstairs. Cotto has enough Boxing skill to keep May off him until he can close the distance. Cotto has got to hurt May and break him down, its got to be a war of attrition. Cotto cannot win a potshot low scoring game, he has to wear May down like Chavez did Taylor. He has to make Mayweater pay dearly every rd. Here is the problem relentless stamina, an iron chin, plus war of attrition dont seem to be staples of Cottos game. So we are back to square one on a wing and a prayer.
Thats boxing, and Cotto will get thoroughly embarrassed if he attempts that. Cotto has to come off the blocks and fully press the issue and force a firefight. Attack all out head and body and hope that the pressure forces Mayweather into punches. Imo Cotto has zero chance past the midpoint. Cotto needs to attack and look for an early stoppage inside of 6 rounds.
Cotto MUST land something hard/Meaningful early to gain Floyd's respect from the start. (First 3 RDS preferably in the first) IF not Mayweather once he feels comfortable will settle down & Walk/Wear MC out.
i have a real bad feeling diaz is worried about cotto's stamina (and he should be), and he wants cotto to pace himself early in the fight...if he gets behind early on the cards, it could be a long night...i agree, he needs to hurt floyd, whether it's a nice shot to the liver, wear on his ribs, or catch him like mosley did, early
Cotto can't relax and play the 1-2 game from the opening bell. He cannot execute that game plan until he get's Money's respect. He won't pressure, but will not be in harm's way after landing cleanly. Cotto will look good tomorrow.
I suggest everybody check out SJS's thread about Cotto's keys to victory. You make some very good points here as well. . I don't know if he should always "commit" to the body, especially at first, because Mayweather will be expecting that. . He doesn't need to get into any kind of set pattern. . He needs to have balance, and rhythm, like you pointed out, but he needs to constantly switch it up. . . Punch Mayweather in his chest - shoot that straight right DIRECTLY to the heart! 1-2-hook-2 upstairs. . FEINT.. Then go hook-2-1 upstairs again. . FEINT upstairs with the 1, THEN SHOOT that left hook (or uppercut; "hookercut") RIGHT into the PIT of his stomach (don't aim for the liver, and sides of the body cause that's where Floyd will get ya with them sharp elbows)
Cotto just needs a heatbeat. Mayweather is done. Little if any power at 154. Too inactive. no combinations and can be stopped DEAD IN HIS TRACKS for minute clips + from body punches. Cotto may bully him around before the ref waves it off. hope it is happy fight and the fans are happy and nobody gets hurt. life goes on.
Mayweather will bully Cotto, walk him down, pick him apart. It`s not Cotto that is going to do the pressure fight, it`s gonna be Money, late tko for Mayweather.
Without the plastic thumb doubt he can hurt Cotto. Cotto just beat a fighter with a plastic eye anyway.
Cotto must avoid uppercuts, average 50-55 punches/round, attack the body, time the body punch at the same time Floyd lifts his elbow to create space, use his strong jab
Yes, stamina is the biggest key. Cotto also doesn't seem like he can apply that pressure with the same amount of speed and quickness as he could in his 140-147 days. The only thing to hang your hat on is the fact that Mayweather doesn't have the highest activity. If you can make him miss a bit, discomfort him, and work his body he might be able to tire himself.
