I'll start of by saying that I'm from Puerto Rico, but I am objective and tell things like I perceive them. I must say that I have never found Cotto to be very "friendly" like Trinidad or Gómez were, so I never developed that affinity like with those two. Sometimes, I have even felt that Cotto has been arrogant in interviews and flat out refused to be the succesor of Trinidad, which is his prerogative and I respect that, but I can understand why even some of us don't feel the same from him as we did with Trinidad.
That being said, Cotto has all my respect and admiration for his skills and fighting spirit. Say what you will about him as a person, but his courage and heart is unquestionable. He only "quit" one time in a fight that was a lost cause. The guy just did not have strength to fight back any more. Still, all the wars against Malignaggi, Judah, Mosley, Clottey, etc. seem to be overlooked.
Even if he "quit" against Margarito (I'm not even getting into the possible handwrap issue), he deserves props for what he has shown in other bouts. One fight does not make a whole career. Chavez quit against DLH in the second fight and nobody questions his courage, and neither do I. Erik Morales, who's one of my favorite fighters ever, "quit" against Pacquiao in the third fight and no one holds that against him. Even Roberto Durán, who's one of my absolute favorites ever, quit against Leonard and that did not hurt his legacy in the long run. I don't know, I think that with some objectivity, several fans would understand better and appreciate the efforts of a ring warrior.
That being said, Cotto has all my respect and admiration for his skills and fighting spirit. Say what you will about him as a person, but his courage and heart is unquestionable. He only "quit" one time in a fight that was a lost cause. The guy just did not have strength to fight back any more. Still, all the wars against Malignaggi, Judah, Mosley, Clottey, etc. seem to be overlooked.
Even if he "quit" against Margarito (I'm not even getting into the possible handwrap issue), he deserves props for what he has shown in other bouts. One fight does not make a whole career. Chavez quit against DLH in the second fight and nobody questions his courage, and neither do I. Erik Morales, who's one of my favorite fighters ever, "quit" against Pacquiao in the third fight and no one holds that against him. Even Roberto Durán, who's one of my absolute favorites ever, quit against Leonard and that did not hurt his legacy in the long run. I don't know, I think that with some objectivity, several fans would understand better and appreciate the efforts of a ring warrior.
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