Cotto to go for his legacy and face Martinez at 160?

[FinitoElDinamita]

This is why Cotto is respected and bankable win or lose, he's willing to fight the best opponents available to him, and his fights are exciting.

He'd be long odds to beat Sergio Da Sex Martinez, but Martinez will be 39 years old in a couple of months with several recent injuries.

2 years ago, it would've been a mismatch. Right now, it's a good match.
That'd be an exciting fight. Hopefully it happens.

@bradlee180 - you are right on point, my friend. Two years ago, I would have picked Martinez to KO Cotto, now I'm not so sure. Cotto looked devastating in his last fight and Martinez disappointed. Martinez will have been out for 14 months at the time of this fight if it happens in June, and will have undergone multiple surgeries. On the other hand, this will be the first time in a long time that Martinez is in there with a legitimate junior middleweight (although I think COtto was most effective at 140-147). He finally won't be the smaller man. Can Cotto's power translate to 160? Can he take a punch from Martinez at 160 that he doesn't see? If Martinez's legs are still there, can he fight Martinez? Can Roach configure a game plan to beat Martinez in his second bite at the apple? Will Martinez go back to Sarmiento?

Cotto gets so much props for taking this fight, I can't even tell you. If he signs up for it, win or lose, he's in the HOF. I know most people would put him there already, but I was sort of on the fence. Now there will be no debate.

Major props indeed. Martinez has 3" in height and a whopping 8" in reach advantage. They're both beyond their peak, that's for sure. You ask some good questions about whether Cotto can hurt Martinez at 160, and whether he can take Martinez's punches. It all remains to be seen.

What I like about this matchup is that Cotto is seeking to cement his legacy by fighting a bigger man (another future HOF'er) at a higher weight. He's not looking to fight a little guy, trying to easily cash in on a famous name with little risk. That takes some major "cojones", although haters will always hate.

Major cojones lol.. its a calculated risk against a vulnerable champ...

Cotto is fighting margo's leftover dude... margo knocked out sergio.. lets see how cotto deals with a handicap version.

[Spicoli]

I respect the Hell outta Cotto and yeh he has some balls but if not a Alvarez, who? Its not all about big balls here and he'll make a handsome sum with a shot against a champion who is almost being written off as a wounded fossil. Martinez is up there....so is Cotto. A win over a predictable and showcase Rodriquez doesn't translate into rebirth. Cotto has many many miles and isn't exactly a one punch hitter or a proven middle for that matter. Its a little twisted who we're thinking is the actual 'opponent' here and I hope we do get some fireworks, but this is also a calculated fight for Martinez dusting off the rust with a respected name but looking for fellow middles..we can only hope. Martinez doesn't have to be Sweet Pea Sergio here and his hands and pop are still alive and well. Its not a bad fight for both at all, I just think Martinez is still very much too much for a Cotto who will be there after his jab.

[Pavlik]

Wow this is a mismatch, Cotto was already a stocky (smallish) welter now fighting Martinez at 160 (granted Sergio is a small middleweight he is still a much bigger and RANGEY fighter than Cotto.) If Cotto Wins this I'll put alongside PBF at P4P number 1. Go COTTO!

[Violent Demise]

Winner needs to face Golovkin.

[Rantcatrat]

Winner needs to face Golovkin.

If Martinez beats Cotto, I easily imagine him going out on his shield against GGG. He wanted another big pay day and he'll get that in a Cotto fight. If he loses, he'll call it a day.

[Manos de Piedra]

I think after that fight both guys should retire. Both guys are running on reserves, Martinez with his injuries and Cotto with his wear and tear.

[GAME]

Props to Cotto for taking this fight. He probably think Sergio is there for the taking so if he's ever going to get that defining win this is it.

Agree with the consensus that a couple years ago Sergio would wipe the floor with him, now the gaps narrowed although I'd still make sexy Sergio favourite. He's got the style and reach to make it abit of a beat down too. Should be a good fight with electric atmosphere

[Rantcatrat]

This is why Cotto is respected and bankable win or lose, he's willing to fight the best opponents available to him, and his fights are exciting.

He'd be long odds to beat Sergio Da Sex Martinez, but Martinez will be 39 years old in a couple of months with several recent injuries.

2 years ago, it would've been a mismatch. Right now, it's a good match.
That'd be an exciting fight. Hopefully it happens.

@bradlee180 - you are right on point, my friend. Two years ago, I would have picked Martinez to KO Cotto, now I'm not so sure. Cotto looked devastating in his last fight and Martinez disappointed. Martinez will have been out for 14 months at the time of this fight if it happens in June, and will have undergone multiple surgeries. On the other hand, this will be the first time in a long time that Martinez is in there with a legitimate junior middleweight (although I think COtto was most effective at 140-147). He finally won't be the smaller man. Can Cotto's power translate to 160? Can he take a punch from Martinez at 160 that he doesn't see? If Martinez's legs are still there, can he fight Martinez? Can Roach configure a game plan to beat Martinez in his second bite at the apple? Will Martinez go back to Sarmiento?

Cotto gets so much props for taking this fight, I can't even tell you. If he signs up for it, win or lose, he's in the HOF. I know most people would put him there already, but I was sort of on the fence. Now there will be no debate.

Major props indeed. Martinez has 3" in height and a whopping 8" in reach advantage. They're both beyond their peak, that's for sure. You ask some good questions about whether Cotto can hurt Martinez at 160, and whether he can take Martinez's punches. It all remains to be seen.

What I like about this matchup is that Cotto is seeking to cement his legacy by fighting a bigger man (another future HOF'er) at a higher weight. He's not looking to fight a little guy, trying to easily cash in on a famous name with little risk. That takes some major "cojones", although haters will always hate.

Major cojones lol.. its a calculated risk against a vulnerable champ...

Cotto is fighting margo's leftover dude... margo knocked out sergio.. lets see how cotto deals with a handicap version.

That has to be a joke from a normally very sensible poster. Martinez's knees were fine for the majority of his career. Boxing just took its toll on him.