What's next for Cotto

[Onix]

Tough call here, I think that was that was the fight of Cotto's life. I really cant see him being able to take Alvarez, Alvarez is too big and strong. Same goes for Chavez and Martinez.

He could coax Pauli Malignaggi (who has a belt again) up to 154 and beat him up again in Madison Square Garden, that would be a huge fight in the Garden. From there he would still probably be able to outbox and beat James Kirland, call it a career after that.

[p4pking]

Outbox Kirkland? He'd be able to slaughter him! Kirkland would get hit with the kitchen sink and would be lucky to see round 3, that one I didn't think of good match for Cotto.

[Onix]

Outbox Kirkland? He'd be able to slaughter him! Kirkland would get hit with the kitchen sink and would be lucky to see round 3, that one I didn't think of good match for Cotto.

The Kirkland that fought Alfredo Angulo would swallow alot of what Cotto was giving out yesterday, Cotto may get a late round stoppage but I think it would be his last winnable tough fight.

[TitoFan]

Tough call here, I think that was that was the fight of Cotto's life. I really cant see him being able to take Alvarez, Alvarez is too big and strong. Same goes for Chavez and Martinez.

He could coax Pauli Malignaggi (who has a belt again) up to 154 and beat him up again in Madison Square Garden, that would be a huge fight in the Garden. From there he would still probably be able to outbox and beat James Kirland, call it a career after that.

I think Cotto can def beat Alvarez. But the timing would be key. A couple of years or couple of fights down the road, the panorama changes considerably, as age is on Canelo's side.

[Onix]

Tough call here, I think that was that was the fight of Cotto's life. I really cant see him being able to take Alvarez, Alvarez is too big and strong. Same goes for Chavez and Martinez.

He could coax Pauli Malignaggi (who has a belt again) up to 154 and beat him up again in Madison Square Garden, that would be a huge fight in the Garden. From there he would still probably be able to outbox and beat James Kirland, call it a career after that.

I think Cotto can def beat Alvarez. But the timing would be key. A couple of years or couple of fights down the road, the panorama changes considerably, as age is on Canelo's side.

I just dont see Cotto being able to get Alvarez's respect, Alvarez would walk through Cottos punches and hammer his body until Cotto wilted and was carried out on his shield.

[TitoFan]

Tough call here, I think that was that was the fight of Cotto's life. I really cant see him being able to take Alvarez, Alvarez is too big and strong. Same goes for Chavez and Martinez.

He could coax Pauli Malignaggi (who has a belt again) up to 154 and beat him up again in Madison Square Garden, that would be a huge fight in the Garden. From there he would still probably be able to outbox and beat James Kirland, call it a career after that.

I think Cotto can def beat Alvarez. But the timing would be key. A couple of years or couple of fights down the road, the panorama changes considerably, as age is on Canelo's side.

I just dont see Cotto being able to get Alvarez's respect, Alvarez would walk through Cottos punches and hammer his body until Cotto wilted and was carried out on his shield.

You also thought (and hoped) Floyd would embarrass Cotto.

[DavilaJones]

I don’t want there to be a misunderstanding I have total utter respect for Cotto and the fact that he ducked no one and had a solid career but my standards for HOF is higher than sadly even the HOF folks. Kostya Tszyu as first bout HOFer? I just can't wrap my head around that one.

I'll give you my criteria and do feel free to critique it.
Number of Title defenses
Number of weight classes in which he was 'the man' of the division, i.e. lineal champion
Number of legitimate (not paper champs) champions dethroned.

If on average his number is greater than someone else in a comparable division then I’d consider him a first ballot HoFer for that time period.

[p4pking]

I don’t want there to be a misunderstanding I have total utter respect for Cotto and the fact that he ducked no one and had a solid career but my standards for HOF is higher than sadly even the HOF folks. Kostya Tszyu as first bout HOFer? I just can't wrap my head around that one.

I'll give you my criteria and do feel free to critique it.
Number of Title defenses
Number of weight classes in which he was 'the man' of the division, i.e. lineal champion
Number of legitimate (not paper champs) champions dethroned.

If on average his number is greater than someone else in a comparable division then I’d consider him a first ballot HoFer for that time period.

I just don't see any reason to have a strict criteria for entry, especially given how little the alphabet belts mean in themselves. Who do you think you are. Cotto has been a face of boxing and given us fans very memorable fights against the best opponents he could've possibly faced over his career. Who aside from Mayweather, Hopkins or Pacquiao is more deserving over the past decade alone? Maybe Wlad? How many weight classes or legitimate champions has he conquered?

[TitoFan]

I don’t want there to be a misunderstanding I have total utter respect for Cotto and the fact that he ducked no one and had a solid career but my standards for HOF is higher than sadly even the HOF folks. Kostya Tszyu as first bout HOFer? I just can't wrap my head around that one.

I'll give you my criteria and do feel free to critique it.
Number of Title defenses
Number of weight classes in which he was 'the man' of the division, i.e. lineal champion
Number of legitimate (not paper champs) champions dethroned.

If on average his number is greater than someone else in a comparable division then I’d consider him a first ballot HoFer for that time period.

I just don't see any reason to have a strict criteria for entry, especially given how little the alphabet belts mean in themselves. Who do you think you are. Cotto has been a face of boxing and given us fans very memorable fights against the best opponents he could've possibly faced over his career. Who aside from Mayweather, Hopkins or Pacquiao is more deserving over the past decade alone? Maybe Wlad? How many weight classes or legitimate champions has he conquered?

This time you beat me to the point.

[TitoFan]

I don’t want there to be a misunderstanding I have total utter respect for Cotto and the fact that he ducked no one and had a solid career but my standards for HOF is higher than sadly even the HOF folks. Kostya Tszyu as first bout HOFer? I just can't wrap my head around that one.

I'll give you my criteria and do feel free to critique it.
Number of Title defenses
Number of weight classes in which he was 'the man' of the division, i.e. lineal champion
Number of legitimate (not paper champs) champions dethroned.

If on average his number is greater than someone else in a comparable division then I’d consider him a first ballot HoFer for that time period.

Again, HOF-worthiness is a matter of opinion, and you're certainly entitled to yours. And honestly, there's nothing wrong with having a higher standard for the HOF than the HOF folks themselves, as you say. As long as it's even-handed across the board. If Cotto isn't worthy in your eyes, then in my mind that also excludes a lot of other fighters from our generation, with the exceptions of Floyd and Pac. My own standards aren't as high as yours, so I happen to think that Cotto definitely belongs there.

Now about your criteria... I got no issue with the first one. Number of title defenses certainly has to be among the criteria for HOF induction. But number of weight classes? Why? Does that mean you have to travel through several weight divisions to be considered? Where does that leave old timers like Carlos Monzon, who fought his entire career at middleweight? How about Ricardo "Finito" Lopez, who finished undefeated and never left his weight division? How about the heavyweights, who only fight at heavyweight? This makes no sense, unless I misunderstood your meaning. Same goes for number of champions dethroned, because this goes hand in hand with the # of weight divisions.

Rather than those, I'd include stuff like quality of opponents. This cannot be ignored. Either by won-loss records or other criteria, the quality of the opponents you face HAS to have tremendous bearing on HOF-worthiness. Quality of wins is another. It's not the same thing to eke out controversial split decisions, or win by DQ, than to win by convincing decision or KO. Also, longevity and/or number of wins. You can't compare a champion who has defended his title for 10 years to one who's only had a couple of title defenses.

[DavilaJones]

First and foremost I must repeat that I have the utmost respect for him and if he is in fact inducted as a first ballot for HOF I would be along the rest to congratulate him on a long successful career.
But here’s my point, there must be a difference between someone who’s a great boxer to someone who’s phenomenal. Compare Hatton at lightweight to Mosley and I hope you that you must agree that there’s a difference of caliber, or Ezzard Charles to Mike Tyson or Vitali Klitschko (and I am an avid big bro fan, not at all little bro.)

The reason I included the multiple weight is that these days a large portion of boxers move up in weight classes, that’s why we have situations in which a fighter is a champion in at least 3 divisions, something that was truly difficult back in the 'golden era' of boxing due to the lack of jr and super of most divisions.

That being said a fighter does not need to meet all parts of it, for example a heavy weight can't possibly move up in weight and he can't beat many other champs since he is the man, so in that regard only title defense and quality of opposition matters.

For fighter who never his division then it is entirely dependent on title defenses and the quality of opponents, I regret my foresight for not including in that one earlier but I agree that is very important.

I'll admit I wrote this in haste and could have worded for less ambiguity. However as an example Sergio Martinez does not have an alphabet belt I believe but we all consider him the man to beat in the Middleweight division.

As for quality of wins, I believe my statement in regards to beating 'the man of the division' would qualify as that but you have worded it much better than I have.

All that said and done with my poor wording set aside, I’m trying to say that there must be a gap that sets the legendary apart from the damn good. The Legendary fighter should be a Hall of Famer because he truly is set apart from the rest. To me as a reward to their greatneess they should be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

To me Cotto is the Carl Froch of the lighter divisions, an excellent fighter, a true gentleman, an ambassador of the sport but as good as he is and he is damn good he’s not phenomenal.

I know this sounds somewhat hostile and I’m doing my best not to sound that way because its not how I feel but watch a Roy fight or, a Duran one and ask yourself does Cotto, in terms of god given ability or craft, match up evenly with these two or any other great?

And yes this is just merely my opinion of a sport that is entirely subjective and as always I do welcome discourse and criticism.

[Onix]

Tough call here, I think that was that was the fight of Cotto's life. I really cant see him being able to take Alvarez, Alvarez is too big and strong. Same goes for Chavez and Martinez.

He could coax Pauli Malignaggi (who has a belt again) up to 154 and beat him up again in Madison Square Garden, that would be a huge fight in the Garden. From there he would still probably be able to outbox and beat James Kirland, call it a career after that.

I think Cotto can def beat Alvarez. But the timing would be key. A couple of years or couple of fights down the road, the panorama changes considerably, as age is on Canelo's side.

I just dont see Cotto being able to get Alvarez's respect, Alvarez would walk through Cottos punches and hammer his body until Cotto wilted and was carried out on his shield.

You also thought (and hoped) Floyd would embarrass Cotto.

What does hoping it would happen have to do with anything? I didnt say it was going to be a blow out, I just wanted it to happen.

I have put up my scorecard, I have Cotto winning rounds 3, 6, and 8. 117-111 is a blow out. It was the toughest fight of Floyds career but a clear victory nonetheless.

If Cotto wasnt embaressed he may have given an interview.

[Master]

Alvarez makes a great match up, then JCC Jnr.

[Fenster]

Cotto abandoned his fight plan against Pac because he got the fuck beat out of him by a superior fighter. Simple as.

Cotto is a great fighter that put up a great performance against Floyd.

You can give him huge credit without making silly excuses for his previous defeats. Lets keep it real.

[Tam Seddon]

yeah cotto was brilliant last night, he did really push floyd but floyd just picked up the pace in the exchanges which was really good to see. Cotto landed some good shots too, but mayweather is just too slick for anybody, i really dont see who can beat him at the momment. I hope he doesnt retire, it was good to see him performing like that, peole are saying hes ageing, but i just think he was enjoying trading with Cotto to give the fans a good show.

as for cotto , i think he can take credit for that performance, he pushed mayweather and tried his best, floyds nose was pretty bad and cotto won rounds with his pressure. I think cotto needs to fight alvarez or kirkland, i would love to see alvarez-cotto, i think alvarez is ready to step it up again, i was impressed with him and mosley last night, that would be great experience for him. I think this fight needs to happen, if cotto carrys on he needs this fight or a fight with kirland, both are exciting fights and make sense for this stage of cottos career.