As much as I really hate to admit it, Cotto is on his way to becoming another Jermain Taylor if he doesn't start coming at his best again...Let's compare the two.
Taylor vs Hopkins I and Cotto vs Mosley: Both were expected to lose the fights to future hall of famers, but they came out strong and took just enough early rounds to come out with a victory, despite taking punishment in the later rounds.
Taylor vs Pavlik and Cotto vs Margarito: Both came out hard in the beginning. Taylor dropped Pavlik in Round 2 and almost KO'ed him at one point, but eventually gased out and Pavlik's power started to catch up to him, ending in a 7th round TKO. Cotto dominated Margo early, punishing him and even showing off in some rounds, but Margo's solid chin allowed him to take the punches and punish Cotto in the late rounds where he tired out, resulting in a TKO.
Taylor vs Froch and Cotto vs Clottey: Well this isn't a perfect comparison because Taylor lost while Cotto won, but both definitely weren't performing their best. Taylor did dominate most of the fight and knocked Froch down early, but in the 12th round got hit with nearly every shot Froch threw and was stopped just before the bell. Cotto also dominated Clottey early and knocked him down in round 1, but eventually Clottey adjusted and started to beat him. Fortunately for Cotto, Clottey didn't finish the job and he escaped to a 12 round SD.
Taylor vs Abraham and Cotto vs Pacquiao: Great comparison. Both Cotto and Taylor were good in the first 3 or 4 rounds, but never seemed to have the opponent in trouble. And from that point both fights were one sided massacres that resulted in one getting put to sleep in round 12, while the other was stopped in the same round.
From here Taylor made the choice of taking a break, but Cotto insists on fighting again in June. If he loses this fight and/or takes loads of punishment, then he'd better do the same.
cottos situation different he fought the real "hands of stone",he fought clottey with a early handicap, and we all know pac doesnt want to take the blood test. taylor just gets knocked out cold .
I'd take Plasterito's punches over Pavlik's punches anyday. The scary thing about Pavlik is that he throws weird punches that appear to do no damage whatsoever, but then suddenly his opponent drops...Abraham and Froch are also very strong too. Froch is a great brawler, one dimensional or not.
I think Cotto had more talent personally. But they both seem to slow down in the later rounds in hard fights. If and when they return to rebuild their careers hopefully conditioning is a point of focus.
cottos situation different he fought the real "hands of stone",he fought clottey with a early handicap, and we all know pac doesnt want to take the blood test. taylor just gets knocked out cold .
Thing with that is...Cotto was the naturally bigger man even at 140..and definitely outweighed Malignaggi in that one..and I'd say the size difference had a bit to do with how he beat the shit outta Malignaggi..because even at the end of the fight..the scorecards weren't that lopsided..it was closer than it seemed..
now imagine Cotto against a Natural 154lb Malignaggi who would more than likely out weight Cotto come fight night!?..
this won't be that easy for Cotto..I just hope he wins impressively..
and to the Jermain Taylor comparison...HELL NO!!..
i dont think size would really matter. reach might (yuri doesnt have an exceptionally long reach), but it aint like yuri hits like a natural junior middle and its not like he'll physically impose himself on cotto.
cotto stalks intelligently, cuts off the ring and eventually breaks yuri's ribs.
it'll probably be a close fight scoring wise cuz foreman's a stinker, but i think cotto's got this.
Disagree with the comparison...Cotto's fought the tougher competition...and has a better resume...
I think Jermain may be more gifted but Cotto is the better fighter...
Cotto simply lost to better fighters(Margarito may be the style matchup)
Jermain was brutally knocked out by Pavlik and Abraham...and stopped by Froch...on paper he shudda beat Pavlik and deff beat Froch...
Cotto went out on his own terms against Margarito and Pacquiao(I thought he cudda seen the final bell)...he was outboxing Margarito...yet Pac was the favorite to beat him...
I could understand the comparison but Cotto's better and still has fight in him IMO...people are concerned about Jermain's health if he continues on...
nah, cotto was talented, skilled and mentally tough. taylor was just talented. cotto's still got some good fights left in him.
he takes out foreman if that fight comes off. foreman cant hold cotto off with anything. it'd be like fighting a taller malignaggi.
Thing with that is...Cotto was the naturally bigger man even at 140..and definitely outweighed Malignaggi in that one..and I'd say the size difference had a bit to do with how he beat the shit outta Malignaggi..because even at the end of the fight..the scorecards weren't that lopsided..it was closer than it seemed..
now imagine Cotto against a Natural 154lb Malignaggi who would more than likely out weight Cotto come fight night!?..
this won't be that easy for Cotto..I just hope he wins impressively..
and to the Jermain Taylor comparison...HELL NO!!..
nah, cotto was talented, skilled and mentally tough. taylor was just talented. cotto's still got some good fights left in him.
he takes out foreman if that fight comes off. foreman cant hold cotto off with anything. it'd be like fighting a taller malignaggi.
I don't know...I think Cotto is far mentally tougher than Taylor. The comparison can be made based on the next few bouts...Cotto's problems can be corrected I think with a change of corner. Taylor's problems can't be corrected. Jesus Christ can be his corner man and he will still wilt at the end.
I agree. Although I think we'll be able to make an assumption about Cotto based on his next bout. But yes, changing his corner would make a HUGE difference.
I think both ran into a brick wall when they least expected it, and that made the loss, that much more devastating.
Cotto, if he fights Forman will be moving up to take on a natural LMW and it has yet to be known how well he's going to take the punishment at that weight. So, if he loses again ... then I would consider him on a similar road as Taylor.
Sadly!
I don't know...I think Cotto is far mentally tougher than Taylor. The comparison can be made based on the next few bouts...Cotto's problems can be corrected I think with a change of corner. Taylor's problems can't be corrected. Jesus Christ can be his corner man and he will still wilt at the end.
Dont say stuff like that man, i get sad :(
Who knows, maybe this is good motivation for Cotto. I'm hoping to see him KO Foreman because nobody expects him to style-wise.