Can Ronnie Shields improve Cotto?

**JmH Reborn** · 02-06-2010, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by .:NL:.

What do you guys think?

I think it will do Cotto good to train with Shields, he is a respected trainer who got Vernon Forrest the Wins over Mosley, who got Juan Diaz up there to the point he was a unified lightweight champ, and got Cintron fighting smarter.

It's a step up from Santiago, thats for sure. And from my personal experience, Ronnie Shields will not let you walk over him, he gives you your place and you better give him his, he gets down to business.

By training in Houston, TX
Cotto will have these guys to train with,

Juan Diaz
Rocky Juarez
Hylon Williams
Kermit Cintron

And other respected Houston fighters. Each of these guys can give him some good work.

During the 24/7 they said those two sparring partners have always been Cotto's partners. I think that was something very telling...he has nobody to show him something different in the ring. The mitt work was like Cotto going 1/4th speed.

If Ronnie will push Cotto then I say go for it. Sticking with his current plan will just lead him to get another ass whupping. I'm not sure Yuri can give it, but the next elite he faces certainly can if he doesn't change. He has the goods to beat Pacquaio and others, he needs a drastic change

**LoveDoctor** · 02-06-2010, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by JmH Reborn

During the 24/7 they said those two sparring partners have always been Cotto's partners. I think that was something very telling...he has nobody to show him something different in the ring. The mitt work was like Cotto going 1/4th speed.

If Ronnie will push Cotto then I say go for it. Sticking with his current plan will just lead him to get another ass whupping. I'm not sure Yuri can give it, but the next elite he faces certainly can if he doesn't change. He has the goods to beat Pacquaio and others, he needs a drastic change

I agree with you homie. And yeah Ronnie will certainly push Cotto and teach him new things.

**savorduhflavor** · 02-06-2010, 01:36 PM

He can maybe improve him a little bit, but I don't think there's much that can be done.

Number one, Cotto is just too stubborn. He's stuck in his ways IMO.

Number two, I think he's lost the fire. Definitely don't think the guy cares all that much anymore to be honest.

**Guest** · 02-06-2010, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by savorduhflavor

He can maybe improve him a little bit, but I don't think there's much that can be done.

Number one, Cotto is just too stubborn. He's stuck in his ways IMO.

Number two, I think he's lost the fire. Definitely don't think the guy cares all that much anymore to be honest.

If that's true, he should hang them up.

But fighting Foreman, it can't be just the money. I think he still has some fire.

I just wonder about him mentally. A lot has happened to that guy inside the ring and outside lately.

**JmH Reborn** · 02-06-2010, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by savorduhflavor

He can maybe improve him a little bit, but I don't think there's much that can be done.

Number one, Cotto is just too stubborn. He's stuck in his ways IMO.

Number two, I think he's lost the fire. Definitely don't think the guy cares all that much anymore to be honest.

I think he cares...he's a prideful man. If he has a chance to fight Pacquaio again, I think he'll do it.

The important thing is to see how he fares against Yuri. The fight with Pacquaio, plus the death of his father. If he performs low level against Yuri, then I will formally agree that he's most likely done, regardless of his trainer.

**savorduhflavor** · 02-06-2010, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by jreckoning

If that's true, he should hang them up.

But fighting Foreman, it can't be just the money. I think he still has some fire.

I just wonder about him mentally. A lot has happened to that guy inside the ring and outside lately.

You ever see his quote "When I retire I'm not gonna hang the gloves up, I'm gonna burn them"?

He's just not one of those guys that lives and breathes boxing. He looks at it as a job and nothing more, and now that he's on the downside of his career his passion is probably dwindling.

I hope you're right though, that's for sure.

**LoveDoctor** · 02-06-2010, 01:51 PM

Cotto is one of my favorite boxers, I would hate to see him take another beating, I really hope he improves because he has alot of undeveloped potential.

**Ben d great** · 02-06-2010, 03:09 PM

first of all as Cotto fan ill say this is a brilliant move, He can be better of course. he have the talent to makes thing much better

**Marcov** · 02-06-2010, 04:18 PM

It might be a good fit. But for Cotto it is also a rebuilding and recovery thing. It is more than just correcting a style or changing technique.
I believe to get the best out of Cotto it will take some patience and it shouldn't be rushed.

Can Ronnie Shields improve Cotto?