Cotto vs. Williams is a must.

[LeftHookToTheBody]

Though the tape doesn't necessarily determine the outcome of a fight, look how much difference in size and reach there is. Cotto is what; 5'7 with a 66 or 67 inch reach? PW is 6'1 with 82 inch reach. Margarito had difficulty getting inside PW, and when he did alot of times PW would tie him up until the ref broke it and off PW would go again on the backfoot while throwing a billion jabs. If people thought Hatton looked like a dwarf next to Floyd, Cotto will look even smaller next to PW and be at a severe disadvantage IMO.

Though Cotto is very adaptable, he can't sit there and box PW, as for one the reach will be too much and 2, PW won't stand there in front stationary like Mosley did. Cotto has to break that body, but will have to get inside 1st and not let PW tie him up. I see PW winning a pretty convincing points decision. I like both, but will be pulling for Cotto all the way, and I don't see him ducking anyone. That honor in that division is left to Cintron.

CC, this was the point I was going to make. If Margarito, a BIG welter at 5'11", had trouble getting inside Williams, how the hell is Cotto at 5'7" going to manage it? He won't be able to fight on the outside like he did against Moseley because of the reach disadvantage. His only option is to plow ahead and try to force his way inside. And before anybody tells me about Williams "pitter pat" punches, if that were the case, why didn't Margarito just plow his way threw and take him out? I'm not saying he's Hearns or anything, but it is easy to call punches "pitter pat" when you aren't the one taking a sweeping uppercut to the jaw. It's a hell of a tough test for Cotto. As versatile as Cotto is, with all of Williams' physical advantages (I mean, my god, his reach is only 1" shorter than Wlad's!), I honestly can't think of a strategy that Cotto could employ to beat beat him on points. His best chance would be a knockout, but Williams has proven to have a stout beard, so that would be a mighty tough task. I think Arum ducks this fight for as long as is possible.

I don't think Cotto would have too hard a time with Williams.

http://www.viddler.com/player/bf15bc41/

Direct Link:
http://www.viddler.com/SMFV1/videos/54/

PS. Sorry the fight is in Spanish. It's the only version of this fight I own.

Here is Cotto in his 7th pro fight against a much taller figher named Sparkman.
I know Sparkman is no Williams but I know Cotto can adapt to Williams who is also a very tall fighter.
Williams likes to grab the head and pull his opponent, he also likes to try and spin his opponents to get in those angle shots. Cotto is a lot better and stronger at 147 then he was 6 years ago. Tony did not seem to have a fight plan against Williams. I know Cotto will come in with a great fight plan and neutralize the pitter patter and punches in bunches Williams is known for. Tony stayed inside and right in front of Williams. Cotto will be all over the ring and just picking his shots as he sees fit. I think it would be a pretty easy fight for Cotto.

Well, as you said, that guy ain't no Williams, even from a physical standpoint. Williams throws 100 punches a round, doubles and triples his jab...it will be a tall order (pun intended) for Cotto to bully his way inside, which is his only option. And I am tired about hearing how Margarito didn't have a good plan and would win in a rematch with Williams. What happened in that fight is that Williams neutralized Margarito's offense with his output and didn't give Margarito the opportunity to fight on the inside or get off the number of punches he is used to. When Margarito came on later in the fight, it was only because Williams slowed down a littled bit (when you throw as many punches as he does, it's inevitable that you will get a bit tired) and gave Tony more opportunity to get off. Even with that, Tony had to work his ass off in the 10th and 11th to keep the pace in his favor, and he was gassed in the 12th and Williams won that round easily. The same pattern would happen if they fought again. Stop with the Margarito didn't have the right gameplan nonsense and give Williams credit for being the better man.

[uwey]

#1 mayweather wont give #2 Cotto a chance in the near future. So why dont #2 Cotto give #3 williams a chance. Cotto aint really #2. Mayweather aint really #1. Both making excuses not to fight #3. If you scared GET A DOG. Floyd and Cotto both lose to TALL PAUL. 2 peas in a pod. They both the same. Proceed with caution. #3= #1. TALL PAUL.

[El Gamo]

#1 mayweather wont give #2 Cotto a chance in the near future. So why dont #2 Cotto give #3 williams a chance. Cotto aint really #2. Mayweather aint really #1. Both making excuses not to fight #3. If you scared GET A DOG. Floyd and Cotto both lose to TALL PAUL. 2 peas in a pod. They both the same. Proceed with caution. #3= #1. TALL PAUL.

I amdire your faith in Williams and whilst my personal favourites are Margarito and Cotto,Williams is a tough proposition for ANYONE . You have to admire Margarito for giving Williams his shot.

[Cortez The Killer]

I will love to see that fight but first Let's see Cotto vs Mayweather.

LOL nice try frozen

Or do you want for Floyd to study Cotto more? LOL

I want Cotto to fight high profile fighters. Mosley( 1 down), Oscar, Floyd then after that's done let's see the fights with Margo(he was high profile but he lost to PW), Williams, Cintron etc.

If Cotto-Williams gets out of the way then Floyd must fight the winner or else he will lose some credibility. At the very least Floyd has one fight left. I want to see him make a statement by defeating a top rated, hungry, natural welter and end of story, nobody can take anything away from him.

However, Floyd has earned his to get to the top. Obviously every wants a chance at the top dog, but in this case they will have to really earn it cause Floyd isn't going to bite that easy. Neither guy packs the name power for Floyd at the moment, especially not PW.

At the very least Cotto and Williams need to fight each other first because Floyd isn't going to give out a free pass to either guy. And he's the top man, top name in the sport, so he is in the driver seat. I think people are dreaming when they think Floyd can be Cotto's next fight; not gonna happen!

[uwey]

Margo is truely the man. I give credit due him. Margo beats Cotto imo. His physical frame can take Cotto's power but I dont believe vice-versa. Margo beats Cotto. I just believe this weight division is to good to let this era go by without the top 5 fighting each other. That would burn me up for the rest of my life. Seems like Tall Paul is the only one left out of the loop begging to fight anyone of them. Begging to fight lessor fighters. Margo vs Cotto would be good. Floyd is on suspend mode. Cant wait for him,he is good though. I dont hate him but he is proceeding with caution like everyone else except Paul.

[RozzySean]

Margo is truely the man. I give credit due him. Margo beats Cotto imo. His physical frame can take Cotto's power but I dont believe vice-versa. Margo beats Cotto. I just believe this weight division is to good to let this era go by without the top 5 fighting each other. That would burn me up for the rest of my life. Seems like Tall Paul is the only one left out of the loop begging to fight anyone of them. Begging to fight lessor fighters. Margo vs Cotto would be good. Floyd is on suspend mode. Cant wait for him,he is good though. I dont hate him but he is proceeding with caution like everyone else except Paul.

Tony is certainly a matchup nightmare for Cotto. His best punch is Cotto's biggest weakness. I rate Cotto's chances to be a little better against Floyd than Tony has, but Margarito is dangerous man, especially to Cotto. I think he gives PW a serioius beating if they ever rematch. He just gave those early rounds away, and he could never make it up.

I would take Cotto to beat Williams. Williams might have the reach, but Cotto has better timing. Williams will find his jab getting countered often and he'll eat a surprising amount of jabs from Cotto as Cotto jabs his way in to get to Paul's ribs. Small fighters can outjab, or jab enough, guys with reach advantage and IMHO, Cotto can hit Williams with jabs more than Williams will ever expect. Cotto is a more complete fighter than Williams and I betting that he could turn physical disadvantages in to advantages.

[Rican]

These two need to fight so that the #1 contender spot is cemented. Everybody is yelling about how Mayweather needs to fight one of these two to prve that he's the best. But let's be serious, Cotto beat Mosley (who was the same age as Oscar when Floyd fought him, but the Cotto fans always seem to forget that when they're talking about "old Oscar Delahoya," nevermind the fact that Floyd jumped up in weight AGAIN for Oscar) and a Zab Judah that was dominated by Floyd Mayweather. Paul Williams gave an extremely over-rated Margarito (who has yet to beat a top fighter) a boxing lesson, and beat up on Matheysse.

What needs to happen is this, while Mayweather is taking his much deserved vacation, let Williams and Cotto have another fight with some "C level," competition (Margarito, Cintron, etc.) in order to build up their names some more. Then towards the end of the year, they fight each other in what would probably be the biggest fight possible without having Floyd Mayweather Jr. in it. This of course would set the stage for a for a Mayweather vs. Cotto/Williams mega fight in late 2008 or early 2009.

Of course, this probably won't happen because Bob Arum might not be so inclined to let another one of his cash cows in the ring with Paul Williams again. Remember when Arum first found out about Margarito fighting Williams instead of Cotto? Remember when he threatened to sue Margarito for that? Ahhh.... good times.

I would love Cotto to fight Williams. But right now, Cotto has accomplished more than Williams and is deserving of a money fight with Mayweather or de la Hoya. Williams should just be patient, defeat Cintron, maybe give Margarito a rematch, and then fight the results of Cotto-Mayweather-de la Hoya.

[Macho]

Though the tape doesn't necessarily determine the outcome of a fight, look how much difference in size and reach there is. Cotto is what; 5'7 with a 66 or 67 inch reach? PW is 6'1 with 82 inch reach. Margarito had difficulty getting inside PW, and when he did alot of times PW would tie him up until the ref broke it and off PW would go again on the backfoot while throwing a billion jabs. If people thought Hatton looked like a dwarf next to Floyd, Cotto will look even smaller next to PW and be at a severe disadvantage IMO.

Though Cotto is very adaptable, he can't sit there and box PW, as for one the reach will be too much and 2, PW won't stand there in front stationary like Mosley did. Cotto has to break that body, but will have to get inside 1st and not let PW tie him up. I see PW winning a pretty convincing points decision. I like both, but will be pulling for Cotto all the way, and I don't see him ducking anyone. That honor in that division is left to Cintron.

Hi Floyd , show this to Majesty

CC, this was the point I was going to make. If Margarito, a BIG welter at 5'11", had trouble getting inside Williams, how the hell is Cotto at 5'7" going to manage it? He won't be able to fight on the outside like he did against Moseley because of the reach disadvantage. His only option is to plow ahead and try to force his way inside. And before anybody tells me about Williams "pitter pat" punches, if that were the case, why didn't Margarito just plow his way threw and take him out? I'm not saying he's Hearns or anything, but it is easy to call punches "pitter pat" when you aren't the one taking a sweeping uppercut to the jaw. It's a hell of a tough test for Cotto. As versatile as Cotto is, with all of Williams' physical advantages (I mean, my god, his reach is only 1" shorter than Wlad's!), I honestly can't think of a strategy that Cotto could employ to beat beat him on points. His best chance would be a knockout, but Williams has proven to have a stout beard, so that would be a mighty tough task. I think Arum ducks this fight for as long as is possible.

I don't think Cotto would have too hard a time with Williams.

http://www.viddler.com/player/bf15bc41/

Direct Link:
http://www.viddler.com/SMFV1/videos/54/

PS. Sorry the fight is in Spanish. It's the only version of this fight I own.

Here is Cotto in his 7th pro fight against a much taller figher named Sparkman.
I know Sparkman is no Williams but I know Cotto can adapt to Williams who is also a very tall fighter.
Williams likes to grab the head and pull his opponent, he also likes to try and spin his opponents to get in those angle shots. Cotto is a lot better and stronger at 147 then he was 6 years ago. Tony did not seem to have a fight plan against Williams. I know Cotto will come in with a great fight plan and neutralize the pitter patter and punches in bunches Williams is known for. Tony stayed inside and right in front of Williams. Cotto will be all over the ring and just picking his shots as he sees fit. I think it would be a pretty easy fight for Cotto.

[GRBOXINGFAN]

Margo is truely the man. I give credit due him. Margo beats Cotto imo. His physical frame can take Cotto's power but I dont believe vice-versa. Margo beats Cotto. I just believe this weight division is to good to let this era go by without the top 5 fighting each other. That would burn me up for the rest of my life. Seems like Tall Paul is the only one left out of the loop begging to fight anyone of them. Begging to fight lessor fighters. Margo vs Cotto would be good. Floyd is on suspend mode. Cant wait for him,he is good though. I dont hate him but he is proceeding with caution like everyone else except Paul.

Tony is certainly a matchup nightmare for Cotto. His best punch is Cotto's biggest weakness. I rate Cotto's chances to be a little better against Floyd than Tony has, but Margarito is dangerous man, especially to Cotto. I think he gives PW a serioius beating if they ever rematch. He just gave those early rounds away, and he could never make it up.

I would take Cotto to beat Williams. Williams might have the reach, but Cotto has better timing. Williams will find his jab getting countered often and he'll eat a surprising amount of jabs from Cotto as Cotto jabs his way in to get to Paul's ribs. Small fighters can outjab, or jab enough, guys with reach advantage and IMHO, Cotto can hit Williams with jabs more than Williams will ever expect. Cotto is a more complete fighter than Williams and I betting that he could turn physical disadvantages in to advantages.

Excellent Post!!! I too think Margarito presents major problems to Cotto. I also agree that Cotto should beat Williams. People are getting all in awe of Williams size and reach, but although he is an interesting fighter, Cotto has proven much more at this stage. I'd love to see a Margo-Williiams rematch, so we can put all this Williams will dominate every welter talk to bed.

[LeftHookToTheBody]

Margarito is dangerous man, especially to Cotto. I think he gives PW a serioius beating if they ever rematch. He just gave those early rounds away, and he could never make it up.

Abosolute nonsense. Margarito did not give anything away...Williams neutralized Tony's offense with his activity and physical advantages and simply did not give Tony a chance to do anything early on. The ONLY reason Margarito did better later in the fight is because Williams high activity style makes a certain level of fatigue a given later on. That gave Tony more opportunities to get punches off, but even then the only rounds he really won CLEARLY were the 10th and 11th when Tony threw everything but the kitchen sink at Williams. The problem is that that constant activity gassed him and Williams took the 12th easily. Same thing would happen in the rematch. Williams would dominate the first half, Margarito would make a late push but Paul would close out stronger and take a clear decision. This nonsense that Margarito "gave away" the early rounds is just that...nonsense. He lost those rounds because of Williams physical advantages, superior speed and activity. Nothing would change in a rematch. As far as Cotto goes, someone who favors him over Williams give me the strategy. He gives up about half a foot, how is he possibly going to get inside at 5'7" when Margarito had a hell of a time doing it at 5'11"? Williams jab rules the day and takes a UD.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Agreed with the above, Margarito was dominated early by Williams. I give him credit for coming back towards the end, but that was only after Williams had put in 6+ solid rounds of dominant volume punching.

[RozzySean]

Margarito is dangerous man, especially to Cotto. I think he gives PW a serioius beating if they ever rematch. He just gave those early rounds away, and he could never make it up.

Abosolute nonsense. Margarito did not give anything away...Williams neutralized Tony's offense with his activity and physical advantages and simply did not give Tony a chance to do anything early on. The ONLY reason Margarito did better later in the fight is because Williams high activity style makes a certain level of fatigue a given later on. That gave Tony more opportunities to get punches off, but even then the only rounds he really won CLEARLY were the 10th and 11th when Tony threw everything but the kitchen sink at Williams. The problem is that that constant activity gassed him and Williams took the 12th easily. Same thing would happen in the rematch. Williams would dominate the first half, Margarito would make a late push but Paul would close out stronger and take a clear decision. This nonsense that Margarito "gave away" the early rounds is just that...nonsense. He lost those rounds because of Williams physical advantages, superior speed and activity. Nothing would change in a rematch. As far as Cotto goes, someone who favors him over Williams give me the strategy. He gives up about half a foot, how is he possibly going to get inside at 5'7" when Margarito had a hell of a time doing it at 5'11"? Williams jab rules the day and takes a UD.

Get low and fight shorter, head movement, Joe Frazier style. Use your own jab to work your way in. Stick you own jab right in Williams chest. Slip the jab, step in and hook to the body. Get inside and rip uppercuts. Williams doesn't throw a particularly hard jab and if Cotto stays low, even the jabs that land will hit Cotto on the top of the head, pretty much doing no damage. Very important - Move to the left - keep your left foot on the outside of his. This will help with slipping jabs and hooking to the body to counter Williams jab, as well as help negate the right hand. Change up, of course, the occasional parry and straight right counter down the pipe. Work the body, work the body, work the body, so that even if he does win the early rounds, he has zero gas in the tank for a late push.

As you point out, Tony is a big WW and thus is not used to fighting guys with with equal or greater hight and reach. Look at his early loss to Rodney Jones, a 6'1" southpaw and Daniel Santos 5'11" 1/2 Southpaw. Me thinks Tony has troubles with tall southpaws and the Paul is very bad matchup for him. Cotto has never fought someone with as large a reach advantage, but he fights every fight against guys who have reach advantages over him. Shane - 7", Zab and Quintana 5". I don't know Pinto's reach, but he's 5'11" so I'm guessing he had a huge reach advantage.

Just something to think about...it's Cotto's game to overcome reach disadvantage. That's what he does. Williams would be his biggest challenge in that area, but he'll need to do the same things he does every fight to overcome a reach disadvantage, whereas Tony has a history of problems with tall southpaws.

[winscomeez]

Hi guys firstable Happy New Year , yeap that fight with Paul W. i dont see it , the g one is d`laoya and then Floyd and i want let yu know guys Cotto is the best in that weight 147lb. more strong , more hard punch , and have diferenet strategy to how fight with his oponent , have in addition speed , hey man he got all the tools for fight Floyd and knock him , that is what Floyd have scare i bet yu that guys .

You know I see the light now,PBF a highly experienced,master-class skilled prize-fighter is actually SCARED to fight another man. YOUR RIGHT all the sudden in the ring PBF will forget all his boxing talent and training,lose his superb defence and lightning quickness and be destroyed by another lesser skilled fighter with out landing a single punch of his own.WOW that is right on the mark!