The Miguel Cotto Question

**Shanus** · 03-28-2007, 03:50 PM

He already is a superstar in Puerto Rico, but I'd say he has the potential to be a worldwide boxing star, not to the extent of Oscar DLH or Ray Leonard, or anybody like that because boxing isn't as big today as it was in the 90's, but he could definately be one of the bigger stars in boxing.

**K-Nine** · 03-28-2007, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by Addison

My friend who is a big Miguel Cotto fan admitted to me recently he felt there were questions about Mr. Cotto's career potential long before the Torres fight. He told me Miguel is slow, and doesn't appear to be a naturally fluid puncher..

I was surprised by this talk. He told me he's starting to have doubts about the fight with Zab Judah and he's a little angry with Cotto and his people for taking the fight.

Me personally - I honestly don't know that much about Miguel Cotto..

I just know what I've seen.

I have watched the entire careers of many of today's superstars.

One thing you notice about almost all of them:

At lighter weights, as they were coming up; men like Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Floyd Mayweather, Kostya Tszyu, Shane Mosley and even Arturo Gatti were blowing out the competition.

Early KO's, highlight reel exchanges, and all intensive dominance.

I've seen some of his early fights and some of his most recent - but I am not as familiar with Miguel Cotto.

I know I haven't seen any performances that rate with the men I've mentioned above. But, the man does have a very impressive KO percentage.

Do we have any Miguel Cotto experts here?

Is Miguel Cotto truly the next "Superstar?"

Cotto has already show an infintessimal amount of flaws in his style and skill level. There is no way that he reaches super-star status. I think he's already shown that he wouldn't hold up.

I'd take it as far as to say that that most of the top ranked WW's would defeat Cotto. That means Mosley, Margarito, even Williams. And certainly the Pretty Boy.

I think that Hatton would make short work of him, too.

**Soldier01** · 03-28-2007, 04:00 PM

Well to be honest with you. I don't think anyone can make that kind of prediction that he's going to be the next superstar. Has he carried himself that way? (YES) has he shown to have respect & love for the sport ? (YES)

Miguel is a fluid puncher, he's also a smart fighter. If you look earlier into his career you already can see the mindset he brought to the ring. Everyone tends to remember the bad times he's had in a couple of fights instead of all the great fights he has everyone when he steps into that ring. No one can't take the fact that the boy aims to please. Name one great fighter who hasn't had the tough fights coming up in the ranks. In order to become a great champion you have to go through the tought times as well.

Just like Evangelista Cotto said one time after Cotto was hurt by the punch to the temple from Corley " Anyone can get hurt in the ring at any given moment is what you do afterwards that counts" Time will tell if he's going to be the next superstar but he's definitely on his way. I hope he continues to prove himself.

I think it all start in June. I'll lean towards the yes.

**Addison** · 03-28-2007, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by K-Nine

Cotto has already show an infintessimal amount of flaws in his style and skill level. There is no way that he reaches super-star status. I think he's already shown that he wouldn't hold up.
I'd take it as far as to say that that most of the top ranked WW's would defeat Cotto. That means Mosley, Margarito, even Williams. And certainly the Pretty Boy.

I think that Hatton would make short work of him, too.

I'm compelled to agree.

I think that's well put.

**Addison** · 03-28-2007, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by Soldier01

Well to be honest with you. I don't think anyone can make that kind of prediction that he's going to be the next superstar. Has he carried himself that way? (YES) has he shown to have respect & love for the sport ? (YES)

Miguel is a fluid puncher, he's also a smart fighter. If you look earlier into his career you already can see the mindset he brought to the ring. Everyone tends to remember the bad times he's had in a couple of fights instead of all the great fights he has everyone when he steps into that ring. No one can't take the fact that the boy aims to please. Name one great fighter who hasn't had the tough fights coming up in the ranks. In order to become a great champion you have to go through the tought times as well.

Just like Evangelista Cotto said one time after Cotto was hurt by the punch to the temple from Corley " Anyone can get hurt in the ring at any given moment is what you do afterwards that counts" Time will tell if he's going to be the next superstar but he's definitely on his way. I hope he continues to prove himself.

I think it all start in June. I'll lean towards the yes.

Good stuff.

I agree, there shouldn't be any specific criteria regarding career arc.

But, if you aren't acing the test when it's still fairly easy;

How are you going to breathe in zero gravity?

Still, fighters can improve at all points in their career.

Maybe Cotto needs a huge fight to really bring it out..

**Shanus** · 03-28-2007, 04:07 PM

The thing about Miguel Cotto that can be taken advantage of is the fact that he's a plodder, he doesn't chase you down, he walks you down.

That's the only reason I picked Malignaggi to beat him, and I think Malignaggi could still beat him with the right gameplan, he just never fought his fight at all.

**niceguy45** · 03-28-2007, 04:22 PM

my opinion he needs to start hand picking oppo. and the chase the real fights and get his status now while being on his prime he is just 26 he needs to step it up, to becaome a super-star he needs to fight the best and obviously unify champ belts, he accomplished alot but it's only celebrated in P.R.

**Cuauht�moc1520** · 03-28-2007, 04:24 PM

I think people are too BIG on Cotto. He really hasn't proved anything. Is he a good fighter? Yes no doubt. Is he a top fighter pound for pound? No, not right now because he really hasn't tested himself.

Like it or not and I don't mean to offend any Puerto Rican's in this forum but fighter from PR are either hit or miss. They tend to coddle their fighters and not take any chances with them. They hardly fight outside of PR and only set up big fights when the style fits or the money is right.

Now that is good smart thinking but we just don't know how good Cotto really is. Cotto has had alot of problems with fiighters either past their prime or fighters he should have beaten easily.

They did the same with Trinidad and he turned out to be a top star but I still think he lost to DLH and he was dependent too much on his power to win fights. But Trinidad did turn out to be a very good fighter, I wouldn't use the word "great' with him.

Only time will tell if Cotto is the real deal and this is a first step (judah) in his career to either super star or just "good" fighter.

**Shanus** · 03-28-2007, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by niceguy45

my opinion he needs to start hand picking oppo. and the chase the real fights and get his status now while being on his prime he is just 26 he needs to step it up, to becaome a super-star he needs to fight the best and obviously unify champ belts, he accomplished alot but it's only celebrated in P.R.

He has hand picked his opponents, it's no coincidence that his opponents have been feather fisted since his fight with Torres.

The Miguel Cotto Question