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My take and prediction on Cotto Vs Margarito
Tough fight to predict since both fighters are amazing, and they are extremely effective in what they do.
First let me list both their strengths and weaknesses and try to come out with a well thought-out conclusion.
(Remember this is all subjective and is based on my own personal opinion).
Cotto:
Strengths
. Big puncher (devastating left hook to the body).
. Strong and snappy jab
. Tough (both mentally and physically)
. Improved footwork
. Improved lateral movement
. Good punch speed
. Younger and in his prime
Weaknesses
. Weak Chin (still debatable by some)
. Subpar defense (tends to leave himself open on the inside, uses earmuff guard therefore prone to big uppercuts, see the Judah fight)
. Shorter height (this could either benefit him or not against a bigger guy like Margarito)
. Has not really been pressured (Shane fought him toe-to-toe and Cotto looked a bit uncomfortable at times, since he's always played the role of the aggressor)
. Becoming a little arrogant (as shown on the Gomez fight, again this could either benefit him or defeat him)
Margarito
Strengths
. Excellent punching power
. Pressure fighter (throws 100+ punches per round)
. Excellent inside work
. Lethal uppercuts
. Chin (nothing else can be said about this)
. Tough (both mentally and physically)
. The bigger man of the two
. Hungrier at this point
Weaknesses
. Slower puncher
. Slower movement
. Subpar guard (although I think he keeps his hands up better than Cotto, blocks a lot of punches with his gloves)
. Lazy jab
. Age factor/mileage (although they are only 2 and change years apart, Tony has been in more wars than Cotto and it's been fighting since he was 15)
I see Cotto starting out faster than Tony, throwing that snappy jab, landing more and keeping Tony at bay and using his better speed to come in and throw a few hooks to the body to establish his power, and then move away. Tony will keep pressuring Cotto in the later rounds landing and missing a lot of times but will not be slowed down by Cotto until the later rounds. Cotto by now will not move as fast as he did on the first rounds, Tony will start connecting on the inside landing stronger punches on a worn out Cotto, Margarito's chin being the edge factor of the fight. By round 10 or 11 both fighters will be hanging by a thread from the punishment inflicted to each other. If Cotto has not been able to stop Tony by these rounds, he won't be able to do it for the remaining rounds of the fight (again, chin being the factor), Cotto will try to use the last few drops of gas on his tank to try and box a slower Tony into a decision. However if Tony manages to connect in the last rounds, he will drop Cotto and win by TKO and win the fight. If Cotto somehow manages to survive the last 2 rounds of the fight, he will win by decision. I think when it comes down to it, the man who wants it more and whoever has the most will win this fight.
First let me list both their strengths and weaknesses and try to come out with a well thought-out conclusion.
(Remember this is all subjective and is based on my own personal opinion).
Cotto:
Strengths
. Big puncher (devastating left hook to the body).
. Strong and snappy jab
. Tough (both mentally and physically)
. Improved footwork
. Improved lateral movement
. Good punch speed
. Younger and in his prime
Weaknesses
. Weak Chin (still debatable by some)
. Subpar defense (tends to leave himself open on the inside, uses earmuff guard therefore prone to big uppercuts, see the Judah fight)
. Shorter height (this could either benefit him or not against a bigger guy like Margarito)
. Has not really been pressured (Shane fought him toe-to-toe and Cotto looked a bit uncomfortable at times, since he's always played the role of the aggressor)
. Becoming a little arrogant (as shown on the Gomez fight, again this could either benefit him or defeat him)
Margarito
Strengths
. Excellent punching power
. Pressure fighter (throws 100+ punches per round)
. Excellent inside work
. Lethal uppercuts
. Chin (nothing else can be said about this)
. Tough (both mentally and physically)
. The bigger man of the two
. Hungrier at this point
Weaknesses
. Slower puncher
. Slower movement
. Subpar guard (although I think he keeps his hands up better than Cotto, blocks a lot of punches with his gloves)
. Lazy jab
. Age factor/mileage (although they are only 2 and change years apart, Tony has been in more wars than Cotto and it's been fighting since he was 15)
I see Cotto starting out faster than Tony, throwing that snappy jab, landing more and keeping Tony at bay and using his better speed to come in and throw a few hooks to the body to establish his power, and then move away. Tony will keep pressuring Cotto in the later rounds landing and missing a lot of times but will not be slowed down by Cotto until the later rounds. Cotto by now will not move as fast as he did on the first rounds, Tony will start connecting on the inside landing stronger punches on a worn out Cotto, Margarito's chin being the edge factor of the fight. By round 10 or 11 both fighters will be hanging by a thread from the punishment inflicted to each other. If Cotto has not been able to stop Tony by these rounds, he won't be able to do it for the remaining rounds of the fight (again, chin being the factor), Cotto will try to use the last few drops of gas on his tank to try and box a slower Tony into a decision. However if Tony manages to connect in the last rounds, he will drop Cotto and win by TKO and win the fight. If Cotto somehow manages to survive the last 2 rounds of the fight, he will win by decision. I think when it comes down to it, the man who wants it more and whoever has the most will win this fight.
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