Freddie Roach won't allow Martinez to wear a knee brace.

Thanks, bro. I see it pretty much the same way. If Sergio is even close to 100%, this will be an entertaining bout (is Cotto ever in a dull fight?), but an ultimately predictable win for Martinez. What makes the outcome even remotely questionable are Sergio's age, inactivity and injuries. There's really no telling who will show up on Saturday until "Maravilla" puts in a couple of rounds. Although Martinez isn't known for being especially heavy-handed, he's probably going to be the hardest puncher Miguel has yet faced. The size and hand speed will ensure that. On the flip-side, Sergio has been taking punches from much harder punchers than Cotto for years, most recently Junior Chavez. I mention power and the ability to take it because it's quite possible that Martinez won't be as mobile as he has been in the past. In the event of a war, think that'll serve the Argentine well. It's going to be a good fight, possibly a great fight, and I'm becoming increasingly anxious for Saturday night to get here already. :fing02: Yea, when you look at that Chavez Jr fight, say what you will about Jr, but damn he can take some shots. He took huge shots from Martinez for 12 rounds and almost knocked him out. I don't see Cotto having that same resistance, of course Cotto is a much better boxer than Jr too but if Martinez is smart, he will force Cotto forward. Cotto is comfortable going forward, but it will actually play into Martinez' hands imo. Should be a good fight though and I have to say, Cotto looks great. My brain is with Martinez, my heart hopes Cotto wins.

knee brace would help his knee from buckling if cotto were about to KO him

Did people think maravilla was gonna bust out the stone cold knee brace?

I think it's in line with what most think here. I see a bigger, stronger Martinez stopping him late. I don't think Martinez will come forward at all, he will control the center of the ring, and pot shot Cotto all night. Of course if we see any drop off, this could be a very interesting fight. Martinez hasn't looked himself lately, that he can't afford against a great fighter like Cotto. If he is "himself" I just think that's too much for Cotto at 160. Everyone is talking about how Cotto will go to the body. Well in order to do that you have to get in close, Martinez won't allow that. Movement is key in this fight for Martinez which is the bigger man and that's rare in boxing when two men like this meet. What about you? Thanks, bro. I see it pretty much the same way. If Sergio is even close to 100%, this will be an entertaining bout (is Cotto ever in a dull fight?), but an ultimately predictable win for Martinez. What makes the outcome even remotely questionable are Sergio's age, inactivity and injuries. There's really no telling who will show up on Saturday until "Maravilla" puts in a couple of rounds. Although Martinez isn't known for being especially heavy-handed, he's probably going to be the hardest puncher Miguel has yet faced. The size and hand speed will ensure that. On the flip-side, Sergio has been taking punches from much harder punchers than Cotto for years, most recently Junior Chavez. I mention power and the ability to take it because it's quite possible that Martinez won't be as mobile as he has been in the past. In the event of a war, think that'll serve the Argentine well. It's going to be a good fight, possibly a great fight, and I'm becoming increasingly anxious for Saturday night to get here already. :fing02:

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/229/files/2014/05/MAY9.gif loool i dont think cotto needs a knee brace. he comes with it. its like robocop's gun holster. it just appears when he's ready to take a knee. lmfao. I used to like Roach but now he is irritating

I still haven't heard your take on Martinez-Cotto, Cuauh. How do you see this playing out? I think it's in line with what most think here. I see a bigger, stronger Martinez stopping him late. I don't think Martinez will come forward at all, he will control the center of the ring, and pot shot Cotto all night. Of course if we see any drop off, this could be a very interesting fight. Martinez hasn't looked himself lately, that he can't afford against a great fighter like Cotto. If he is "himself" I just think that's too much for Cotto at 160. Everyone is talking about how Cotto will go to the body. Well in order to do that you have to get in close, Martinez won't allow that. Movement is key in this fight for Martinez which is the bigger man and that's rare in boxing when two men like this meet. What about you?

Is Freddie Roach dictating the terms of the knee brace or is the NYSAC dictating them? I would think regulation of wearing a knee brace/sleeve would be stipulated in the NYSAC's rules. Either way, it would make complete sense to me that knee braces would be forbidden in the ring as they have parts in them that could cause injury to either fighter, most notably the fighter not wearing one. If this ruling has been established by the NYSAC long before this fight then nobody should be *****ing. If it's not and it is an issue solely being presented by Freddie Roach, then people have a right to *****.

Gotta love the ready-Made excuses. Here, let me try: If Cotto's right arm is 100% after the car accident, Cotto wins. If not, I see Sergio winning. ;) :fingersx: huh? That's just the way I see the fight sheesh whatever a fan of both guys can't say nothing without the nuthuggers taking offense lol.

going into this fight I'm a fan of both guys. but as time has gone on I've come to hope Martinez gets the win. Wasn't keen on all Cotto's A side b side talk but more than that I don't like the way they seem to be banking on/hoping martinez is injured/get's injured. If martinez is healthy he'll dominate cotto imo. If he's injured/his knee goes early ... cotto could well wear him down. *edit to say I'm not certain what exactly team cotto are saying he can/can't wear. So my bad if martinez is actually allowed to wear some form of support for his knees

Freddie Roach says Martinez can wear a sleeve, but not a knee brace. Won't allow him to wear anything metal that could hurt Cotto. He said he can wear a sleeve but not a brace yuri wore a sleeve. Thank you. I don't know why this is still being debated. The issue was settled yesterday. Martinez is allowed to wear a sleeve. I don't think a brace was ever on the table. For one, it would mean Sergio's knee is unfit for fighting; for another, it could potentially injure Cotto during knee clashes.

Freddie Roach says Martinez can wear a sleeve, but not a knee brace. Won't allow him to wear anything metal that could hurt Cotto. He said he can wear a sleeve but not a brace yuri wore a sleeve.

My question is, how can they stop him from wearing the brace? Was it in the contract? I still haven't heard your take on Martinez-Cotto, Cuauh. How do you see this playing out?

I agree. It's probably gives him a bit more confidence more than anything else. If he has been wearing one constantly during training then he's likely to be a bit tentative early on. I do wonder how well conditioned Sergio is going to be in this fight. I guess the bike will help a lot in getting his stamina up to scratch, but how much lower body explosiveness and agility work could he possibly have done if he's still wearing a knee support? The mindset change from wearing a sleeve all throughout training and then not wearing one for the night of the big fight could be significant, at least early on. God only knows how the injuries, ensuing inactivity and training modification will affect Martinez come fight night. There are so many variables. I just believe "Maravilla" will have enough to beat the smaller, untested at 160, man.

I don't remember Cotto having a problem with Yuri Foreman when he wore a knee brace... http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2010/0605/ny_a_foreman9th_300.jpg That's 'cause Yuri sucked, let's face it. Where Sergio is concerned, Miguel wants -- nay, needs -- every advantage.

My question is, how can they stop him from wearing the brace? Was it in the contract?

cotto would be jealous as hell

http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Yuri+Foreman/Miguel+Cotto/Yuri+Foreman+v+Miguel+Cotto/ILVieP65Y2i knee brace? fight in new york? ****roach is :lame:

What is this Freddie won't "allow" it bullshit? lol The NYSAC makes that decision. And, as far as I know, they've decided to allow a knee sleeve (which does not contain any hard substances). You might say Freddie needs to let the commission do its job. As a few guys have already pointed out, if Sergio needed a knee brace he wouldn't be able to fight. Point blank. What he wants to wear is a sleeve, which is different. It's similar to an ACE bandage, and helps keep the joint warm and compressed. Its greatest value to Martinez is probably psychological, to be honest. I agree. It's probably gives him a bit more confidence more than anything else. If he has been wearing one constantly during training then he's likely to be a bit tentative early on. I do wonder how well conditioned Sergio is going to be in this fight. I guess the bike will help a lot in getting his stamina up to scratch, but how much lower body explosiveness and agility work could he possibly have done if he's still wearing a knee support?

You guys do know this is a southpaw vs orthodox fighter Clashes with fighters happen all the time, no way he gets to wear a metal knee brace haters calm down. You do know not all braces are the same and come padded right?

Didn't martinez wear a sleeve in his last night?