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| Big things are happening in the light welterweight division. In 2005, we will certainly see Kostya Tszyu fight Ricky Hatton in one of England’s richest and most significant fights. Meanwhile, stateside we now know that Arturo Gatti will meet Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a real super-fight. Preceding all of this is the WBO showdown in Puerto Rico this Saturday between champion Miguel Cotto and former champion DeMarcus Corley. If the initial significance of this fight does not inspire you, |  |
the prospect of its winner competing against the previously mentioned combatants definitely should. Cotto will return to defend the title in the very place he took it with a devastating knockout of Kelson Pinto. Does Corley have what it takes to extend Cotto before his home support, or perhaps even defeat him? We will know the answer by the end of Saturday night, and what’s more, we will see who will have won the right to command a prime position to fight for the right to be called the best light welterweight in the world. Undecided as to whom you think will win? Allow the SaddoBoxing.com writers to assist you in making a decision.
Ben Lynch: This is going to be a fight for purists. If you love boxing for slugfests you might not want to watch this one, but for the people that love the sweet science this is a must. Cotto is being hyped as the next big thing, still very young but showing immense skill and composure when in the ring. Cotto picks apart his opponents with what seems like consummate ease, exposing every little error made by the man in front of him. The only thing we don’t know about Cotto is how well he takes a big punch, and unfortunately Corley doesn’t have the power in his arsenal to test young Cotto’s chin. That’s not to say Demarcus Corley should be taken lightly. Corley is an awkward, counter-punching southpaw that has mixed with some of the elite of the division. He fought the wrong fight against Floyd Mayweather, opting to press the action instead of playing to his strengths. It’s a good step up to the top of the division for Cotto, and one that will pay off as I think he’ll win but it won’t be easy for him. If Corley get’s his game plan right it’ll go the distance with Cotto getting the decision if not Cotto will knock him out.
Cotto by unanimous decision.
Lee Bellfield: Another step in the right direction for Miguel Cotto who currently can do no wrong. Obviously, he will be looking to do a better job on Corley than Floyd Mayweather Jnr and I think that he will. I predict that Cotto will box his usual careful fight and will find the opening to end matters probably round the eighth round.
Shaun Rico LaWhorn: I see this as another test for Miguel Cotto. A test that will include his fine display of patience and power. He will finish Corley in eight rounds. Add another KO to Miguel’s record.
Richard Eberline: Corley has come up short against the top light welterweights and will likely continue to do so against Cotto. DeMarcus doesn’t have the punch to keep Cotto off of him and doesn’t seem to fight with any kind of offensive strategy. He looks to improvise and take advantage of any mistakes the opponent makes. This won’t work well against Cotto, methodical, precise and much stronger than Corley. I can see Miguel patiently breaking down the southpaw with more right hands than we usually see before stopping Corley in about seven or eight rounds.
Jim Cawkwell: I saw the Judah-Corley fight as a crossroads fight for both men, and when Corley lost, I figured he would be on a downward slide from then on. Unfortunately for him, this has proved to be so. Cotto is on the way up and I think Top Rank do a good job in matching him withthe right fighters at the right times, and this fight is a continuation of that trend. It is incredible to see a fighter like Cotto, who does not really extend himself in any way towards the media, receiving so much attention, which is based purely on his performances, especially in this day and age when so much more is expected from fighters. Top Rank match Cotto steadily, testing him gradually while making sure that he is mentioned with the top names in the division despite the fact that Cotto will probably not face any of them until next year. Corley has the speed and perhaps enough craft to make it interesting for a while, but in the end, Cotto’s superior firepower will tell and I think Corley will be stopped in the sixth round.
Greig Johnston: Seriously, the only intrigue with this fight is just what kind of ridiculous trunks “Chop Chop” will get chopped up in. Look for a poised and ready Miguel Cotto to do what Judah couldn’t – finish off Corley in round eight.
James MacDonald: I think Cotto will be too clever and too strong for Corley. I see this as an opportunity for Cotto to try and outdo Mayweather, as it were. Cotto by late KO.
Jason Gonzalez: My Cotto-Corley prediction is for Cotto in a very impressive sixth round TKO. I don’t feel that “Chop-Chop” has the tools to keep Miguel off of him. Plus, with the fight being in Puerto Rico, I am sure Miguel wants to put on an impressive performance.
Katrina Walters: I believe that Cotto is definitely on a mission to prove that he can pound with the best, and to show the fight world that he deserves to be with the best, so I believe he will stop Corley short. I don’t feel that the fight will go the distance and he will pull out the win!
Don Caputo: The popular consensus going into this fight is that it is going to be a mismatch. Well, I actually think it is going to be a hell of a lot more competitive than most people think – as long as it lasts. DeMarcus Corley is a good test for Cotto at this stage of his career; he is a former world champion who is in my opinion vastly underrated. Mainly because he dropped a pair of clear-cut decisions to Zab Judah and Floyd Mayweather in high profile fights; but to put those losses in perspective, Zab and Floyd are without question two of the fastest fighters around at the moment, who both regularly appear on most current pound for pound lists. Recently, Corley has only lost to that caliber of fighter, and remember he only lost a split decision to Judah and was able to rock the speedy Mayweather a couple of times. Cotto will not be able to overwhelm Corley with speed like Mayweather did. But in saying that, he is a tremendously strong junior welterweight and I expect that strength and his flawless technique to be the difference in this one. This fight will not go the distance but it will be interesting while it lasts. Cotto TKO8.
Saddo: OK, I know everyone will be picking Cotto, even the bookies have Cotto as a massive favorite, but lets not forget this is a step up for Cotto who has great everything except for the big question mark over his stamina ((See the Ndou fight)). I just see this as a far more competitive fight than people think and am gonna have a bet on Corley via unanimous decision. You can get +1000, that’s 10/1 for U.K. readers from the betting link at the top right of this page.
P.S. Don’t blame me if you lose your money, I have a weakness for underdogs 🙂
If you would like to be a part of the SaddoBoxing.com writing team, contact Jim Cawkwell at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
