Manny might fight Cotto before the winner of July 18th!

[OumaFan]

Cotto's got pretty good defense for a fighter that pressures a lot like you say but he could get tagged with the right while he's throwing punches, especially considering Manny's so fast.

Look at the first knockdown in the Hatton fight, Hatton starts his left hook before Manny started the right hook. Granted I'm not sure that's a good example cause Cotto doesn't cock his like Hatton does but its doesn't change the fact that I think could still be caught between shots.

Unless I'm mistaken didn't Corley hurt Cotto with a right hook coming in?

[sanchez786]

Cotto's got pretty good defense for a fighter that pressures a lot like you say but he could get tagged with the right while he's throwing punches, especially considering Manny's so fast.

Look at the first knockdown in the Hatton fight, Hatton starts his left hook before Manny started the right hook. Granted I'm not sure that's a good example cause Cotto doesn't cock his like Hatton does but its doesn't change the fact that I think could still be caught between shots.

Unless I'm mistaken didn't Corley hurt Cotto with a right hook coming in?

I can't recall if it was a hook when Corley had Cotto doing the chicken dance but that fight was a long time ago. Cotto has improved leaps and bounds from that point. Don't get me wrong, I would watch this fight if it happened but IMO, it would be nothing but a farce.

[OumaFan]

I think it was but that's a bit beside the point, Manny will land his punches, straight lefts, right hooks, Cotto's solid defensively but he's not invisible and Manny is clearly one of the most dynamic offensive fighters around.

I don't think its anything near a farce, Manny has shown that he can carry his power, but that's my opinion, we'll see. Either way, If I was Cotto I would insist on it being at 147, if he's drained he's getting taken out. Since Roach and Manny probably won't go to 147 this whole thing is probably a moot point.

[OumaFan]

Sanchez beat me to the point on the weight.

I wonder even how well he'd manage something like 143-144.

[sanchez786]

Sanchez beat me to the point on the weight.

I wonder even how well he'd manage something like 143-144.

The problem with the catch weight is the inevitable excuses that can follow with the loser of the fight. If Cotto loses he 'may' say he was weight drained and he fights best at 147lb...If Pac loses he 'may' say he fights best at 135lbs.

Add to the fact that we will NOT be seeing the BEST the fighter has to offer meaning, Cotto has proven his BEST at 147lbs...Pac has proven his BEST at 135bls. At a catch weight either, or both fighters 'may' lose some of there ability due to being outside the weight range where they feel most comfortable with. I feel as boxing fans, we would be short changed for not seeing our favorite fighter perform at his most optimum potential. I apologize as I'm now sounding like a broken record so I'll cut my rant right here.

[OumaFan]

maybe so, I'm not sure that 140 isn't Manny's best, a bit hard to tell as he's only had one fight at each.

But I agree that 147 is where Cotto needs to stay.

[blegit]

Cotto's got pretty good defense for a fighter that pressures a lot like you say but he could get tagged with the right while he's throwing punches, especially considering Manny's so fast.

Look at the first knockdown in the Hatton fight, Hatton starts his left hook before Manny started the right hook. Granted I'm not sure that's a good example cause Cotto doesn't cock his like Hatton does but its doesn't change the fact that I think could still be caught between shots.

Unless I'm mistaken didn't Corley hurt Cotto with a right hook coming in?

Yes, it was a right hook that Corley had Cotto very hurt on. Cotto was almost out on his feet. But that right hook coming from a left hander to a standard fighter is a longer punch to land but a weird punch so if he lands solid it will cause problems. But Pac looked every second to land that right hook on Hatton(and did) and I'm sure Cotto seen that. And he is a very intelligent fighter so I think he'd be well prepared for that punch.

[blegit]

Cotto should beat Clottey but people shouldn't be counting that as a given. And even if Cotto did win after his beating from the "plaster hands" and then a possible war with Clottey he may end up being close to shot. After those two tough battles he would be a fool to compound that with draining himself to less than 147. And Roach already said he won't let Pac go back to 147. So Cotto would have to come down.