Everyone has all these explanations and excuses but totally overlook what really happened that fight. Let's look at the 3 key things Cotto did to best Margarito.
1. Cotto FINALLY got In-Shape. Not basic shape, ELITE shape.
For a long time this has been an issue for Cotto. He'd either cut a ton of weight, lose muscle, and become chinny. Or he would basically neglect the conditioning aspect of boxing and come to fight with extra weight around his midsection. And it's not muscle either.
In this fight Cotto came in perfect. He looked really healthy during the weight in. If you want to see what a boxer looks like when they don't cut weight, that was Cotto at the weigh in. PERFECT shape.
2. Cotto acquired the skill of fighting BACKWARDS.
Cotto has NEVER done this until now. LITERALLY, he has never fought backwards in his career until now. Normally Cotto will back up and try to pull some type of bob and weave, Pernell Whitaker stunts. As evident of his previous fight with Margarito and even his fight with Pacquiao. When Cotto would get hurt, or have a need to retreat. He wouldn't jab or throw punches to keep them from coming forward.
This time, none of that. Cotto got backed up just like before. The difference this time was that Cotto used his jab to absolute perfection. Cotto always had a good jab but he never used it while going backwards. This time Cotto stopped Margarito dead in his tracks with stiff, hard jabs. Going backwards, doubling it up at times and even firing the right straight when Margarito got too bold. Stopped Margarito's advancement immediately.
3. Cotto FINALLY managed his energy out-put.
This is the single MOST important thing that Cotto had done to win this fight. In his entire career, Cotto was never one to manage his energy properly. He would for the most part, use too much energy too early. Committing to power shots that were not there, wasting energy recklessly and it has shown many times during his career.
Before this fight, I continuously said that he needed to manage his energy better. He finally did and it showed. Cotto brilliantly picked his shots, not wasting energy throwing 5-6 punch combos as hard as he could. He stood behind his jab, moved his feet, and threw power when it was best needed. That is why Cotto landed so many power shots. He broke Margarito down by accurately placing his power shots and not over committing to trying to hurt Margarito too early. His patience and boxing IQ had helped him over come his stylistic nightmare/weakness.
Those 3 things together aided Cotto in beating Margarito. Not just beating him by a hair but really, outclassing Margarito. While Margarito stayed being the come forward, absorb damage sponge. Cotto used that to his advantage. Being the more in shape man, acquiring new skills, and gaining the knowledge to simply wait. Pick and when to use power and when to just keep Margarito at bay.
Thus, Cotto had his long wanted victory. He beat Margarito. Reclaimed his honor and honestly showed that he is a force in the 154 division. If Cotto continues on this path, we'll see some brilliant performances in the future. It may be a long while before we see Cotto lose again; utilizing these key things.
What is up with you guys? Margarito has been done for years. He literally hasnt had a meaningful win in 3 years, since the Cotto fight. This fight was a no brainer.
No offense to Cotto, but his strategy and preparation only worked so well because Margarito is way past prime. Even Cotto isnt as good as he once was, you guys are just impressed by nothing when a guy fights a durable punching bag.
and btw, Cotto has been in better shape than last night in the past, and you can clearly see him fight effectively going backwards agaisnt Mosley.
Great analysis.
This was all in how Cotto approached the fight. He turned, held when margo closed the distance and was even able to push him back.
My main concern when I saw what they were working on in camp was whether or not Cotto could maintain that movement for the whole fight. And that was the big thing, he was in shape to maintain that movement for 12 rounds.
But also, because of the aforementioned adjustments, he didn't absorb the damage over the beginning of the fight that could make him break down like he did in the first fight.
Through 5 rounds I knew Cotto would be fine because he wasn't absorbing those big body shots like he did in the 1st fight.
In the first fight I dont think he avoided the ropes. It seemed like he was on the ropes and then tried to escape. This fight he seemed more concious of the ropes and remained at mid ring.
Possibly, yeah. Cause Cotto didn't let Marg get too close in this one.
I just have the stark memory of Cotto getting caught with uppercuts when he was trying to circle right and then took a knee. In the first fight.
he also had a real trainer not his father or uncle. they came up with a great gameplan in turning margarito every time he got close or pushing him of or pulling him in close not leting him tee off
I definitely agree. Because Cotto never exhibited the stuff he did in this fight before. Big ups to his trainer, I said it before in another thread but he deserves props.
This is the only thing he did consistently better the whole fight. The stuff Flicker mentioned (outside being in a little better shape) I felt were exactly the same as the first fight.
Cotto fought courageously but by no means was it a superb performance.
He did the same in the previous fight when he avoided the ropes.
Difference is. As he avoided the ropes, his hands were down and he was trying to be whitaker.
This time his hands were up and he was keeping Margarito from advancing by popping him with that hard jab.
Mate, Arum paid off the doctors to approve. That eye wasn't fit to fight.
There was nothing brilliant about Cotto last night.
He beat a handicap.
What's next, fighting a guy with one arm?
Comon Flick
:nonono:
Nah man. I stand by what I said before the fight. If Margarito gets his eye approved. Then yeah, he could fight.
Cause if he won. The eye wouldn't be mentioned.
I think the issue is that it swelled shut. He had a bad orbital break. All that scar tissue just made the eye easier to swell.
great analysis.
What do you think should be next for Cotto if not 147.
Well, Arum mentioned that Cotto would get Saul next, if he wanted him. So that might be next.
I think Cotto could hang with anyone at 154. Specially with this sort of form.
lol, why would want to see that? I hope Cotto doesn't go back to 147. I think he would beat Marquez but Cotto doesn't need to go back down in weight.
and I still can't help but laugh at that sig.
great analysis.
What do you think should be next for Cotto if not 147.
and the fourth thing he did
4. Fought a guy with one eye.
lol, nah. Margarito got it checked out and said nothing was wrong with his eye and could see perfectly.
Scar tissue + punches = swollen
Marg got target practiced man. I can't even deny the brilliance Cotto displayed.
1.made sure there was no plaster
That's one of the excuses.
Rather than excuses. I looked at what Cotto did to get better, and those three things alone helped him beat Margarito.
Cotto got better not Margarito losing plaster.
So is he finish with 147 then? Don't know about you guys but I have a strong interest in Cotto-Marquez at WW :D
144 jmm whoops 145 cotto
if cotto went that low he would struggle with the weight too much imo........
So is he finish with 147 then? Don't know about you guys but I have a strong interest in Cotto-Marquez at WW :D
lol, why would want to see that? I hope Cotto doesn't go back to 147. I think he would beat Marquez but Cotto doesn't need to go back down in weight.
and I still can't help but laugh at that sig.
Thus, Cotto had his long wanted victory. He beat Margarito. Reclaimed his honor and honestly showed that he is a force in the 154 division. If Cotto continues on this path, we'll see some brilliant performances in the future. It may be a long while before we see Cotto lose again; utilizing these key things.
So is he finish with 147 then? Don't know about you guys but I have a strong interest in Cotto-Marquez at WW :D