Next for Cotto...

[markb018]

During the fight, I just found myself thinking if Floyd and Pac were in the ring with Cotto, that Cotto would be dominated. Clottey was landing pretty easily on him when he did throw. I think Cotto should fight Berto next, the timing is right for the fight.

If I'm Arum I don't put him in against Floyd or Pac

[TheDemolitionDan]

That's exactly what was going thru my mind a little during the fight and after the fight. Cotto isn't invincible like he once was. That Margarito fight took a lot out of him and there were times where this fight looked very similar to that Margarito-Cotto fight. Before the fight I thought Cotto would beat Pacquiao, but after watching this I don't think he can. Clottey popped him a few times because of Cotto showing defensive lapses. Pacquiao probably doesn't hit as hard as Clottey, but he would be a lot quicker and more of the aggressor and I hate to say this, but I think Pacquiao would stop Cotto in the 8th or 9th round.

[CFH]

That's exactly what was going thru my mind a little during the fight and after the fight. Cotto isn't invincible like he once was. That Margarito fight took a lot out of him and there were times where this fight looked very similar to that Margarito-Cotto fight. Before the fight I thought Cotto would beat Pacquiao, but after watching this I don't think he can. Clottey popped him a few times because of Cotto showing defensive lapses. Pacquiao probably doesn't hit as hard as Clottey, but he would be a lot quicker and more of the aggressor and I hate to say this, but I think Pacquiao would stop Cotto in the 8th or 9th round.

When was Cotto ever invincible? Part of his mystique is the fact that he's always showed vulnerability. Ever since he emerged on the Lt. Welter scene he's appeared to be a flawed, vulnerable fighter; it's part of his appeal. The fact the he continues to succeed, despite the apparent weaknesses is part of the reason he is such a compelling fighter.

[belakbox]

When I was watching I was thinking that the cut wasn't that bad and that Cotto might be looking to finish the fight with an excuse. But he finished like a real fighter. And after seeing the butterflied cut up close I admit he had a legitimate handicap from the cut on.

Clottey had some issues with slipping or maybe the tackle messed his knee up, but he had issues too. So props to both fighters for getting through the fight and giving fans the full 12.

[XaduBoxer]

That's exactly what was going thru my mind a little during the fight and after the fight. Cotto isn't invincible like he once was. That Margarito fight took a lot out of him and there were times where this fight looked very similar to that Margarito-Cotto fight. Before the fight I thought Cotto would beat Pacquiao, but after watching this I don't think he can. Clottey popped him a few times because of Cotto showing defensive lapses. Pacquiao probably doesn't hit as hard as Clottey, but he would be a lot quicker and more of the aggressor and I hate to say this, but I think Pacquiao would stop Cotto in the 8th or 9th round.

When was Cotto ever invincible? Part of his mystique is the fact that he's always showed vulnerability. Ever since he emerged on the Lt. Welter scene he's appeared to be a flawed, vulnerable fighter; it's part of his appeal. The fact the he continues to succeed, despite the apparent weaknesses is part of the reason he is such a compelling fighter.

Some fans portrayed Cotto as some kind of invincible boxer at 140/147 when they talked about him when he was still undefeated... before the Margcheat fight...
.

[C-Lo]

I hope we don't look too much into this Cotto situation. Cotto fought the way he did because of the cut. He would've pressed the action a lot more often if he could see out of his left side. He was just cautious of the right hand because he was getting tagged with it and because of the cut he couldn't see it coming.

Had Cotto fought with no cut, it would've been much different IMO.

[Gandalf]

I hope we don't look too much into this Cotto situation. Cotto fought the way he did because of the cut. He would've pressed the action a lot more often if he could see out of his left side. He was just cautious of the right hand because he was getting tagged with it and because of the cut he couldn't see it coming.

Had Cotto fought with no cut, it would've been much different IMO.

I agree. The cut was clearly a huge factor in how the fight developed. Cotto couldn't see and so was on the backfoot trying to stay out of range of the Clottey right. All things considered he deserves a lot of credit for seeing it through. He could have just stopped after the seventh and took a clear points win. But instead he gave the fans a fight and gutted it through.

The cut tarnished Cotto's performance here. I don't think he can be called past his best on what we saw. That's a little rash. It wasn't a razzle dazzle display but one where he needed to grind out the result. All fighters have these affairs on occasion. Floyd: Castillo 1 is one such fight. Cotto can and probably will perform better.

[markb018]

I hope we don't look too much into this Cotto situation. Cotto fought the way he did because of the cut. He would've pressed the action a lot more often if he could see out of his left side. He was just cautious of the right hand because he was getting tagged with it and because of the cut he couldn't see it coming.

Had Cotto fought with no cut, it would've been much different IMO.

I think seeing Cotto cut is just something we are going to have to deal with. Seems more often than not he is getting cut. I hate bringing up Pac, but he will be slicing and dicing his face all night long with those punches. Cotto won't be able to move out of the way. Margarito was landing easily and Clottey, yes there was the cut but again I won't be surprised when he is cut in future fights.

That being said I give all the respect in the world to Cotto for the fight last night, showed great heart

[JazMerkin]

I tend to agree, he seemed to struggle with Clottey's speed, so I think he'd struggle with PBF or Pac. I want either a Ring title fight with Mosley or a rematch with Clottey, it was a close enough fight to warrant it. I'd keep Berto away from the pair of them for quite some time, let him fight Collazo again, although I'd give him more chance against Cotto than Clottey.

[markb018]

I tend to agree, he seemed to struggle with Clottey's speed, so I think he'd struggle with PBF or Pac. I want either a Ring title fight with Mosley or a rematch with Clottey, it was a close enough fight to warrant it. I'd keep Berto away from the pair of them for quite some time, let him fight Collazo again, although I'd give him more chance against Cotto than Clottey.

I blanked on Mosley, a rematch would be pretty perfect. I think Margarito and Clottey both have given Mosley a blueprint for Cotto. I think Mosley wins the rematch.

[Gandalf]

Cotto didn't seem to have that same edge. He gutted it out, but there were a lot of the flaws we saw against Margarito. The cut clearly affected him quite badly though.

His punches would have a bigger effect on guys like Floyd and Manny IMO. I know I predicted a Cotto stoppage win, but that was more my wish rather than anything meaningful. Clottey is one of those hard headed types that just doesn't hurt easily. Against smaller WW's like Pac etc Cotto's punches would have to make an impact.

It's a tough fight to judge where Cotto is at. I think Cotto has a decent shot against Pac and less of one against Floyd. But I'm not convinced by any means.

[ElTerribleMorales]

Cotto didn't seem to have that same edge. He gutted it out, but there were a lot of the flaws we saw against Margarito. The cut clearly affected him quite badly though.

His punches would have a bigger effect on guys like Floyd and Manny IMO. I know I predicted a Cotto stoppage win, but that was more my wish rather than anything meaningful. Clottey is one of those hard headed types that just doesn't hurt easily. Against smaller WW's like Pac etc Cotto's punches would have to make an impact.

It's a tough fight to judge where Cotto is at. I think Cotto has a decent shot against Pac and less of one against Floyd. But I'm not convinced by any means.

IMO Cotto was doing just fine before the gash, the first round they felt eachother out, Clottey winning until he was dropped, then IMO Cotto was easily winning the 2nd and 3rd by out boxing Clottey, then the gash, and it clearly impared his vision, Cotto isn't new to cuts, but none ever seemed to bother him as much as tonights, i've never seen him paw at a cut as much as tonights, and lets be honest, it was a very bad cut

[fan johnny]

After that fight, I'm not sure what to think about his next opponent. I think Clottey was just too big for Cotto and his punches weren't so effective. Against the smaller Pacquiao, I think he's more effective but Pacquiao is faster than Clottey. Against Mayweather, I think he can win if he stays busy enough but Mayweather could just nick the fight from him. Well... another fight with Mosley is a good possibility. I think if Clottey's team can put up a proper protest, a rematch would be in order, but I think a rematch with Margacheato is what people want to see more.

[belakbox]

I think a Margacheato rematch is good too, but a tough fight for Cotto to win. Cotto looks past his prime, but margo took a nice ass whopping from Shane, so maybe Cotto can do it this time.

Although I would watch the rematch I wouldn't blame any fighter for not giving the cheat an opportunity.

[BlackHawk]

Cotto is a great fighter but I dont see him winning againts Pacman. Pacman speed will eat Cotto alive!!! He needs to fight Berto first in my opinion.