Does Cotto have the potential to be an ATG?

[Pharoahe]

I think he has the potential. Obviously, he would need to add some more big victories to his record, but I think he can do it. He has some defensive flaws he can work on, but then again, he is an offensive fighter. He has great talent. If he can beat Clottey, Mosley in a rematch and, let's say just for the sake of the argument, that he takes Mayweather. I think he can. Whether he will be considered one is a different story.

IF he were to win those three fights (and that is a gigantic IF) then he would be at or near the top of current fighters. What he does after that would make the bigger difference in "all time" status. If he beats those those three and then continues to beat high ranking fighters for a handful fights past that, then HOF would be likely. If he beats those three and then proceeds to spiral downward, then he'd be a flash in the pan and wouldn't be considered for HOF status, let alone be an all-timer.

But in terms of actually beating those three... I like Cotto a lot, but I don't see him beating Floyd, and Mosley is iffy as well. It would also depend on the context in which he fights Floyd... if he beats him in his first fight out of retirement that's not a very good gauge. Similarly, if Mosley's age truly catches up to him, and then Cotto beats him, that's also not the best gauge.

[ßringer]

At the end of his career, he'll definitely be Hall of Fame worthy.

But "All Time Great" is something that doesn't come along that often, and I don't think he'll ever be capable of getting that label.

It's not a knock on him as a fighter, it's just that that "list" is so stacked with talent that Cotto would have to do some remarkable **** to even be considered.

[Ch@mpBox@PR]

He have the potential, but it will be hard for him to do it.

He will have to clear the WW division completley. And when I say, that is beating Mosley again, beting Margarito x2 and 2 more contenders.

Or, beat Mosley,Clottey Margarito amd win titles at 154 and 160.

But i doubt it. He will be a HOfer for sure, but it will be hard for him to get to any ATG status, do to his size disadvantage.

But he difinetly have the skills to do it!!!!!!!

[VirusTI]

He is really good, i like cotto alot, and to me... he is still undefeated.

I think the fight with Joshua will tell us alot about both.

[sunny31]

I think Cotto has HOF potential. Anyone that says otherwise probably doesn't like him for some reason. I don't think he has much ATG potential, but you never know. If he ends his career with one defeat to a guy that loaded his gloves, now we're talking.

Good point, in many peoples eyes the margarito defeat will be and is tainted. Especially if cotto goes on to achieve great victories, he already has a really good resume. I think to achieve greatness he HAS to get floyd mayweather into a boxing ring and beat him, he could beat all these tough fighters, the clottey's and margarito's of this world will only solidify his resume and get him into the hof, not turn him into a true superstar or atg...for that he needs the pretty boy

I hope he gets the winner of pac v hatton before floyd as it would put him in a position to fight him

[D-Omonist]

He is really good, i like cotto alot, and to me... he is still undefeated.

I think the fight with Joshua will tell us alot about both.

Cotto is defenitly HOF material, but like some have said already to be ATG he would have to beat:

Clottey
Mayweather (if he comes out of retirement)
Mosley (in a rematch)

Only then will he be an ATG!!!!

[TRAVI$]

Cotto is defenitly HOF material, but like some have said already to be ATG he would have to beat:

Clottey
Mayweather (if he comes out of retirement)
Mosley (in a rematch)

Only then will he be an ATG!!!!

He also needs to get a win over Margarito if he ever returns.

[oldgringo]

Good points made in this thread.

Cotto really doesn't have his defining fight out there I'm afraid. A Mayweather fight WOULD be that fight, but I don't feel it is very likely to happen. Cotto isn't so special right now that he's peerless, but it's not like defeating an older (but still quite good) Shane Mosley is the fight you can hang your career on.

When I think of an all-time great fighter, I think of someone who is remarkable in a particular historic weight class (top five all-time material), or someone who could matchup with any other great boxer throughout history at a given weight that the original fighter has participated in. The fighter has to have some high profile moments throughout.

Cotto has a long way to go to get there.

[D-Omonist]

He also needs to get a win over Margarito if he ever returns.

Yep I agree, but I didn't include him since I don't know if he will ever return.

[-EX-]

Cotto is almost a hall of famer to me. He definently has the potential. There's still some good welters out there. Clottey, P. Will,etc. I think for him to take the next step he'd eventually have to test the waters at 154 and be successful.