What should Cotto's game plan be for fighting Clottey?

[sunny31]

cotto should go to the body right from the opening bell and often, clottey has a very high guard and doesn't really defend his body, cotto can rack up points and slow him down by doing this tho he will need to set it up with his jab which I think will be more effective than against marg as clottey doesn't have a massive height advantage

Cotto should throw his combinations and clinch when necessary, then get on his bike later in the fight.

Clottey needs a high work rate, and try and take over in the second half of the fight, he should also look for his right hand lead think cotto will be open to it, also attack cotto's body to take his legs away. Try and get cotto to exchange punches with him

[RisAri0]

Cotto needs to just be himself, thats all there is to it. He should work Clottey's defense with his jab and as soon as Clottey opens up for his own offense thats when Cotto should attack.

[KingTito]

Cotto should jab, use his movement, and work the body. He shouldn't unload with every punch. He should punch more for points instead of trying to hurt Clottey with every punch. Clottey should try to pressure Cotto, throw the uppercut, and work the body. I got Cotto by UD if they fight.

[Mr. Philadel]

Cotto would just have to box........jab jab and jab......the body attack and power shots will present their self if he just uses his VERY under rated power jab.......his hand speed should win him MOST of the flurries and therefore most of the EARLY rounds......if he can avoid Clottey's left hook in those exchanges he'll be alright!

As for Clottey......don't let Cotto dictate policy in there.....take the center of the ring from round 1 and push Cotto back......Cotto is not good at boxing in circles.....he goes straight back so Clottey should have many opportunities to load up while Cotto's back is on the ropes.....body work body work and more body work is the key for Clottey.....take Cotto's legs from him and he'll be easier to touch in the second half of the fight.....Cotto gets hurt in almost every big fight he's in and I see this being no different.....Clottey will hurt Cotto sometime late and when he does its important that he doesn't let him off the hook.....Cotto is vulnerable to uppercuts and Josh throws a mean one........Cotto can be broken and its usually by strong punchers with good chins(Mosley and Margarito)....Clottey fits the profile!

[-Antonio-]

Work the jab. Even if he's hitting Clottey's forearms and gloves more than he lands, it will help dictate the pace. If Cotto dictates the pace, he will win the fight, I know that sounds really simple, but I honestly believe that.

People always talk about how big and strong Clottey is and than refer to Cotto's fight with Margarito. But Clottey fights nothing like Margarito, he doesnt apply that kind of pressure, and that's the only thing we've seen Cotto have trouble with.

Cotto needs to dictate the pace, and to be honest, I think he needs to pin Clottey up against the ropes. And that's very feasible, because Clottey goes into that shell when he gets tired.

Cotto just needs make the fight move along at this pace, and pressure Clottey a bit. He aint stopping Clottey, but I think he'l win a decision.

Yeah this is the answer I would have given. Dictate the pace, work his jab, be measured, time his punches. Stay at a distance and try to counter punch while mixing in body shots. Zab and Marg were getting ripped with punches when they stayed in Clottey's range. If Cotto works in and out like he did against Mosley he'll be fine. If he stays inside and trades hooks with Clottey then he's fighting Clottey's fight, even though he can win that way too...

[Pullcounter]

cotto:

1) stay off the damn ropes
2) slow down the pace of the fight
3) go to the body
4) box

clottey
1) pressure
2) uppercut
3) overhand right
4) attack the body and sap his stamina early
5) cut off the ring

[Xyei]

He should try to punch him in the face and body as much as he can. Also, he should try as hard as he can not to get hit in the face or body himself.

[mickyward5656]

alot of good points,.....

[mickyward5656]

do you guys feel that Clottey will be able to pressure cotto without being beat as bad or get hit as often as margarito did???

[MANGLER]

do you guys feel that Clottey will be able to pressure cotto without being beat as bad or get hit as often as margarito did???

Yep. Marg has a good chin and blatantly abused the privilege. Clottey can take a shot when he has to, but he won't do it just cuz he can for the sake of landin back. He'll press Cotto, but he'll do so behind a tight guard.