Cotto vs Chop Chop Corley

[zhubin]

Great speed almost always conquers great power. Pac is definitely the faster fighter. Cotto is certainly not slow...in fact his speed is underrated...but if he goes into this fight purely trying to chase Pac, pin him against the ropes, and hurt him...he will be in big trouble. Another thing people haven't mentioned much...Pac and Cotto in fact have the same reach. If Cotto comes into the fight a bit weak from trying to make 145...trying to run after and catch the faster guy will make him vulnerable. I think to have great success against Pac, you need to have great counter punching and timing...like Marquez. Pac loves to throw himself forward when he tries to throw flurries...and he is often off balance. Cotto needs to utilize his great jab and draw Pac in. Countering him and than setting him up for some hard shots. If Cotto comes into this fight in a strong mental state and fights intelligently...he has a chance. But unlike popular opinion, he should not try to brawl. People simply think that if a fighter is naturally bigger and stronger...he has to impose his strength. That is only the case if your opponent isn't much faster than you. Otherwise...you have to fight a technically smart fight to deal with the speed...and set up opponent. Or you will throw and miss and get tagged and eventually tire out.

I have a thread going with over 1100 posts on another planet, but this post is as good as they get. Very, very insightful.

Thanks holmcall. I am just hoping it will be great fight. Pac is on fire at the moment...but if Cotto comes in mentally and physically sharp...to go along with a great game plan...he certainly will be more than a handful.

[Rican]

Great speed almost always conquers great power. Pac is definitely the faster fighter. Cotto is certainly not slow...in fact his speed is underrated...but if he goes into this fight purely trying to chase Pac, pin him against the ropes, and hurt him...he will be in big trouble. Another thing people haven't mentioned much...Pac and Cotto in fact have the same reach. If Cotto comes into the fight a bit weak from trying to make 145...trying to run after and catch the faster guy will make him vulnerable. I think to have great success against Pac, you need to have great counter punching and timing...like Marquez. Pac loves to throw himself forward when he tries to throw flurries...and he is often off balance. Cotto needs to utilize his great jab and draw Pac in. Countering him and than setting him up for some hard shots. If Cotto comes into this fight in a strong mental state and fights intelligently...he has a chance. But unlike popular opinion, he should not try to brawl. People simply think that if a fighter is naturally bigger and stronger...he has to impose his strength. That is only the case if your opponent isn't much faster than you. Otherwise...you have to fight a technically smart fight to deal with the speed...and set up opponent. Or you will throw and miss and get tagged and eventually tire out.

I have a thread going with over 1100 posts on another planet, but this post is as good as they get. Very, very insightful.

Thanks holmcall. I am just hoping it will be great fight. Pac is on fire at the moment...but if Cotto comes in mentally and physically sharp...to go along with a great game plan...he certainly will be more than a handful.

I agree that this is a great post. Also, I know Manny has great speed, good pop at 140-147, quick feet, and the ability to throw hard and powerful punches from any and all angles. But is he considered a good "technical fighter"? I would say Cotto has the advantage in this department by far, but wonder what everyone thinks about this point.