You have a point, there. Cotto could hang with Alvarez, even in brawl-mode. The commentators said he wouldn't be able to, but he did. Freddie also seems to have thought so; he kept asking Cotto to push Canelo back. He saw the opening. I think Cotto had difficulty finding the range, since Alvarez has a long reach, and that's why Cotto chose to mostly out-box him instead. He'd need to practice that aspect, and then see how he can work in-out footwork to deliver his left-hook and avoid return fire. It could definitely turn the tide indisputably in his favor.
Another aspect he could work on is in varying his attack. He did a little bit of it later on, but I feel that could've been more effective. There were several times where you could see Alvarez just standing still waiting to be hit. It's like he almost assumed Cotto wouldn't hit him. Cotto, on the other hand, was expecting a more aggressive fight, so he waited to counter in many of those instances. This could also be a game-changer, if he chooses to press the attack in the rematch.
There's not much we can do about Canelo looking bigger or the sounds he makes when he throws, but Cotto can set the pace enough to make it clear Canelo isn't in control. This could help to negate the size differential in people's minds. Plus, who knows, one of those liver shots could definitely put Alvarez down. I don't care if he's 200 pounds; he eats enough of those, and he's done.
Another aspect he could work on is in varying his attack. He did a little bit of it later on, but I feel that could've been more effective. There were several times where you could see Alvarez just standing still waiting to be hit. It's like he almost assumed Cotto wouldn't hit him. Cotto, on the other hand, was expecting a more aggressive fight, so he waited to counter in many of those instances. This could also be a game-changer, if he chooses to press the attack in the rematch.
There's not much we can do about Canelo looking bigger or the sounds he makes when he throws, but Cotto can set the pace enough to make it clear Canelo isn't in control. This could help to negate the size differential in people's minds. Plus, who knows, one of those liver shots could definitely put Alvarez down. I don't care if he's 200 pounds; he eats enough of those, and he's done.
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