Cotto vs. Gatti....

[Deeznuts]

I don't consider Gatti a step up for Cotto. I mean the guy has gotten beaten every time he faces a known contender : Ivan Robinson, Angel Manfredy, Oscar. I know he beat up an old time Jesse james Leija and his trilogy with Micky Ward were exciting but how is he any different or a step up from Paul Maliganni who was undefeated, Maussa, or Corley who also lost to known champions?

[hollister]

I don't consider Gatti a step up for Cotto. I mean the guy has gotten beaten every time he faces a known contender : Ivan Robinson, Angel Manfredy, Oscar. I know he beat up an old time Jesse james Leija and his trilogy with Micky Ward were exciting but how is he any different or a step up from Paul Maliganni who was undefeated, Maussa, or Corley who also lost to known champions?

None of those guys are as durable as Gatti, and none of them have the power he does. The styles are another point, Torres proved that if you have any power whatsoever Cotto''s wide open to be tagged, and doesn't take shots very well. If Torres hadn't gassed, he'd have Cotto's belt right now. Gatti definitely has more power than Torres, and usually comes in much better shape as well. Even if you don't think it'll be a step up from a skills standpoint, it'll definitely be a step up for his chin.

[Derranged]

Gatti is too slow and worn out. Cotto aint nearly as fast as Mayweather, but is still too strong, young, powerful and skilled for Gatti. Gatti has the experience and Cotto is still green, but he has beaten guys that are out of Gatti's league.

[hollister]

Gatti is too slow and worn out. Cotto aint nearly as fast as Mayweather, but is still too strong, young, powerful and skilled for Gatti. Gatti has the experience and Cotto is still green, but he has beaten guys that are out of Gatti's league.

Who, Torres?

The reason why I give Gatti the edge is because Cotto is SOO easy to hit for anyone who's not afraid to hit him, I mean he was tagged over and over again by Torres, who I thought was an average fighter at best. He had to pivot his whole body to get enough on his hooks to hurt Cotto, and Gatti's arm punches are that hard. Offensively Cotto is a skilled fighter, but his defense is basically non-existant. We know that if Gatti decides to let his hands go, both fighters will be hit. Who do you think will react better? And the point still remains, EVERYONE that Cotto has faced has been at a distinct size and strength disadvantage, whereas Gatti is the same size and I'm sure just as strong. Mark my words, Cotto won't be the same monster at 147, just look at Hatton who everybody said the same thing about.

[King Jaffe Joffer]

Torres had Cotto on ***** street

Gatti > Torres

Gatti is a bigger puncher, faster, and better boxer

Thats why we give Gatti and chance

[oldgringo]

I know Gatti's past it, but they're basically the same fighter. They're doing the same thing, they're both too big for 140 and now they'll both be where they belong. Cotto will have no size or strength advantage over Gatti as he'll probably weigh the same as he has in the past on fight night anyway, the difference will be the opponent. I think if Gatti tries to outbox him, then Cotto wins. Not because Cotto is a better boxer, just because he'll put more pressure on Gatti if Gatti offers no resistance. If Gatti goes in there and lets his hands go, then I give him the edge because I believe he has the better chin and his heart has already been tested against better opponents than Cotto, opponents that actually have power and can fight for more than 4 or 5 rounds. If Cotto does what you say he'll do, then I'll give him all the credit in the world. As of yet however, I just don't see what's so special about him, he's a guy that comes to fight in good shape, and has always fought smaller opponents until now if this fight happens.

Gatti's power has become overrated over time...especially his power with 1 punch. It's good, but not anything that's going to have Cotto in la-la land *unless it lands perfectly of course*. That's my two cents on his power.

I don't know how Cotto will look at 147 and neither does anyone else, but I'm willing to bet a lot that he'll look a LOT more like he did early in his career. Fluid boxer puncher with good movement and great all-around skills. His biggest drawback will be his short arms...not his chin.

We all know Gatti has a big heart and a good enough chin. We have also seen Cotto pushed to the brink by an underrated fighter in Corley and a question mark fighter, with a pretty record, who turned out to be a dynamic puncher with heart. I whole heartedly think that Ricardo Torres is a more devastating and sharper puncher than Gatti. Better handspeed, better use of angles, harder overall punches. His skills aren't as developed because he hasn't fought over here much, but that kid can punch like a truck. Outside of those two we have seen Cotto fight *and beat* about every kind of opponent you can name. None of them as big as Gatti, but many guys who would have given Gatti complete hell at 140 (Branco gave him a tough enough time). Malignaggi the slick boxer, Pinto the tall powerpunching prospect, N'dou the tough as nails pug, etc. He can adapt in the ring and we all know he has Gatti like heart.

I just think it's a case of a younger, stronger kid beating up a guy who has had a pretty good rollercoaster career. Gatti could have a last hurrah in him and score the upset if this came off with a few huge punches, but I just personally don't see it happenin. The thing that is special about Cotto is that he has hype around him but hasn't failed yet, he shows he has intangibles to go along with a devastating skillset, and he always comes to fight. Draining down to 140 has made him look slightly less stellar to people who haven't watched much of his earlier days, but he'll come out with a **** when he moves up. I believe that **** just could be against your boy Gatti *should he get by Baldomir*.

[oldgringo]

Who, Torres?

The reason why I give Gatti the edge is because Cotto is SOO easy to hit for anyone who's not afraid to hit him, I mean he was tagged over and over again by Torres, who I thought was an average fighter at best. He had to pivot his whole body to get enough on his hooks to hurt Cotto, and Gatti's arm punches are that hard. Offensively Cotto is a skilled fighter, but his defense is basically non-existant. We know that if Gatti decides to let his hands go, both fighters will be hit. Who do you think will react better? And the point still remains, EVERYONE that Cotto has faced has been at a distinct size and strength disadvantage, whereas Gatti is the same size and I'm sure just as strong. Mark my words, Cotto won't be the same monster at 147, just look at Hatton who everybody said the same thing about.

Man but when was the last time you saw Hatton make one of his opponents look like Bazan/Branco/Malignaggi/Sosa/Ceballos/Abdullaev/etc? Cotto is a bigger puncher than Hatton is. Hatton mauls his opponents and wears them down with his conditioning and relentless body attack, but Cotto breaks **** when he hits you. This is the second guy in a row who had MONSTEROUS swelling on their jaw because of Cotto hooks. Abdullaevs face looked like it was going to pop. He left-hooked Branco so hard he destroyed his arm and shoulder. We all saw the gruesome shots of Malignaggi. Sosa looked like every outlet on his face was pouring blood.

Sorry, had to drive that nail in hard.