With the one year layoff, and that ****ed up no contest decision last month (in which the cut was clearly caused by a punch) Judah is the hungrier fighter at this point in his career. I think he fully realizes that this fight with Cotto is his last chance to shine, if he wins, he's back in the forefront of the game. If he loses he'll be lucky to get another fight on ESPN.
Cotto is a solid fighter with a lot of heart and power, but he's been hurt before and he's been down before, by guys who don't have as much snap in their powershots as Judah does in his jab. I think a lot of people are picking Cotto simply based on the fact that he's an undefeated Puerto Rican knockout artist, with a crowd pleasing style. When it comes to technical ring savvy, Cotto is nowhere near Judah's level.
I think the first 3-4 rounds of the fight will begin slowly with Miguel Cotto stalking Judah, loading up the hook and trying to get inside to pound Judah's body. Judah will be evasive and look almost as defensively gifted as Floyd Mayweather. In round 5 the tempo of the fight will change with Judah seizing control and keeping Cotto at bay with the jab and following up with his straight right hand, jumping in and out of combinations.
By round 8 it will be Judah's fight to lose and there will be a sense of desperation in Cotto's corner for him to land something big. Cotto will land more accurately with his body shots in rounds 9 and 10 and change the momentum of the fight in his favor. Judah will be rocked and running low on energy and Miguel will pick up the pace giving it his all in the 11th, and Judah will close strong in the 12th and final round.
Judah by unanimous decision, 116-112.
Cotto is a solid fighter with a lot of heart and power, but he's been hurt before and he's been down before, by guys who don't have as much snap in their powershots as Judah does in his jab. I think a lot of people are picking Cotto simply based on the fact that he's an undefeated Puerto Rican knockout artist, with a crowd pleasing style. When it comes to technical ring savvy, Cotto is nowhere near Judah's level.
I think the first 3-4 rounds of the fight will begin slowly with Miguel Cotto stalking Judah, loading up the hook and trying to get inside to pound Judah's body. Judah will be evasive and look almost as defensively gifted as Floyd Mayweather. In round 5 the tempo of the fight will change with Judah seizing control and keeping Cotto at bay with the jab and following up with his straight right hand, jumping in and out of combinations.
By round 8 it will be Judah's fight to lose and there will be a sense of desperation in Cotto's corner for him to land something big. Cotto will land more accurately with his body shots in rounds 9 and 10 and change the momentum of the fight in his favor. Judah will be rocked and running low on energy and Miguel will pick up the pace giving it his all in the 11th, and Judah will close strong in the 12th and final round.
Judah by unanimous decision, 116-112.
Comment