Post Fight Analysis: Margarito vs Cotto

[!! Shawn]

It could have been either Cotto headhunting Margarito or it could have been Cotto being worried about ducking right into one of Margarito's uppercuts when he goes to the body.

I agree that the result could have been different if Cotto had invested in a body attack early but what's done is done.

I thought Magarito managed to wear Cotto out by pressuring him and was able to wear Cotto down in the latter stages because of the aforementioned pressure and some nice body shots that he landed.

I do think that Cotto has the necessary skills to beat Margarito and that was evidenced in the early portion of the fight and that he could have done a few key things to Margarito that would have earned him the victory but it's 100% his fault, Margarito's determination, chin and never ending pressure had something to do with it as well.

He does need to learn to pick his shots better and to make use of his body attack, which he has gotten away from a little bit it seems because he didn't use his body attack that much against Mosley either.

I agree that Margaritos work rate more than likely influenced Cotto's punch output, but that is once again Cotto's fault. He was throwing 5-6 punch Combinations in spots where a 2-3 punch Combination would have been equally effective.

Worrying about the uppercuts is not a reason to not go to the body. Every single one of Cotto's combinations should have been finished with a shot to the body. The punches upstairs set up the punches down stairs. If you set it up, you don't have to worry.

[!! Shawn]

Margarito was tagging that body early people. It just became very noticeable in effect by the mid rounds! It's what sent Cotto into full box and retreat mode around the ring in the beginning. Margarito was never brutalized, he wasn't even buzzed. Paul Williams method of beating Margarito is in no way a blueprint either, he almost drowned in that fight despite throwing a kajillion punches that were almost entirely meant for scoring purposes! Paul has to tweak his last gameplan in a rematch because it won't work again as is with Margarito coming out of the gate throwing and practically ignoring his opponent's punches now.

Cotto showed part of the keys to beating Marg handily if you're not a big Welter but have some power imo.

- It takes circling footwork away from his planting, big looping punches and uppercuts. He can't seem to work without getting set. Floyd would keep him off balance like that all fight.

- a respectable quick jab or straight shot to create initial seperation.. and then you go back to moving and looking for those openings that will make him take a brief step back on initial contact to get a few off. Basically you have to fight him like a scared rabbit.

Body work against Marg is out if you're a smaller welter I think. You expose yourself to taking Antonio's hard uppercuts to the gut yourself if you try to go in there and establish an attack.

If you're big and strong you have an additional method of getting separation from Marg by twirling him off you from a clinch.

If the punishment Margo received to the head does not qualify as brutal, what does?

[ElGranLuchador]

marg didnt won cotto lost bwaaaaaaaaaa
yeah i guess cotto punched himself so hard in the face he had to be taken to the hospital

[Silencers]

I agree that Margaritos work rate more than likely influenced Cotto's punch output, but that is once again Cotto's fault. He was throwing 5-6 punch Combinations in spots where a 2-3 punch Combination would have been equally effective.

Worrying about the uppercuts is not a reason to not go to the body. Every single one of Cotto's combinations should have been finished with a shot to the body. The punches upstairs set up the punches down stairs. If you set it up, you don't have to worry.

What you're saying is true, he didn't always have to throw 5-6 punch combinations and I agree with the second part as well, he should have gone to the body a lot more than he did, I'm just saying maybe that's why he didn't go to the body.

[Corizz]

My first post here, but this is what i think. First round was the good ole feel out rounds. Not much happened, but Cotto was the faster fighter. 2nd round imo was key. Margarito already felt Cotto's power in the first round and was NOT scared of it at all. So he forced himself inside and hit the body. He pounded the body hard in the 2nd round. Even if it didnt fully land, they still make a significant impact. I honestly though he had Cotto hurt a little in that 2nd round with some body shots. At this point. Cotto wanted NOTHING to do with fighting Marg close. Them body shots hurt him. He knew that Marg can keep up that pace for 12 rounds. So his best bet was quick flurries and run. Marg is so relentless that it didnt matter.

Marg eventually slowed him down and from there it was just a matter of time until the punches got through. How many times did we hear Kellerman saying them punches are getting closer and closer to finding their targets.

I dont think there was anything Cotto could have done different to win this fight. He would have broke down no matter what. He knew it from that 2nd round on.

[!! Shawn]

What you're saying is true, he didn't always have to throw 5-6 punch combinations and I agree with the second part as well, he should have gone to the body a lot more than he did, I'm just saying maybe that's why he didn't go to the body.

In a rematch do you think Cotto learns from his mistakes in this fight and pulls off the win?

[Silencers]

In a rematch do you think Cotto learns from his mistakes in this fight and pulls off the win?

It depends on how he rebounds from this loss, physically he may be fine but mentally he could be ruined, even though I think he'll be OK both physically and mentally, we won't know until he gets back into the ring.

I still believe he has the skills to beat Margarito and if he implements the right gameplan, he can win.

[Haglerwins]

If the punishment Margo received to the head does not qualify as brutal, what does?

The punishment Cotto received to the head from Margarito.

[!! Shawn]

The punishment Cotto received to the head from Margarito.

You must not have watched the fight.

[Corizz]

Yep, it was body shots that wore him down. People can say that it was the punches, but i call bull****. Marg was slinging them all fight long and still had it in him to keep doing that.