Most Improved Fighters

[Rican]

Since they first broke on the...title scene. Obviously prospects improve into contenders but what guys have really either added or rounded out there skill sets significantly since first bursting onto the title scene.

The obvious two who jump to mind are the two fighting each other in December, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

With Pacquiao it's plain as day to see, it would be rough to say he's 1 dimensional even when he beat Barrera but just watched his fight in San Francisco versus Agapito Sanchez and it's amazing how one dimensional he was. The left was basically it for Pacquiao and stayed that way, his defense wasn't anything special and while the speed and power combination was there,his balance wasn't. Just remarkable how much he has improved under Freddy Roach. People who say Roach is overrated and just stumbled upon Pacquiao are just in plain denial. Look at the work he has done on Pac's in/out movement, balance, punch arsenal/selection, composure he has really become a different fighter.

Cotto is much the same, perhaps not as dramatically improved but he did add a whole new skillset. He now has a jab that is among boxing's best, he has learned how to win rounds, do more then just mindlessly go forward,ect. Look at his approach in the Ricardo Torres fight,which was mindless just walk the guy down, fire punches, wear him down. He won a firefight in that one. Fast forward to the Carlos Quintana fight and that was the beginning of the turnaround that saw him outbox Shane Mosley down the stretch of their fight.

Another one, Timothy Bradley. I got to give him credit, same thing go back to the pre-Witter days,I was never impressed all that much with Bradley. I thought he was lethargic sometimes even now he is one of the better high energy, high output fighters in boxing. He's done a good job shortening his punches and his speed has definitely increased, and by a good measure too.

Thoughts?

I always thought Cotto had the skills he is currently showing more of. I mean, he had an extensive amateur career and is probably the most decorated Puerto Rican amateur in history. That's a lot of boxing. It's just that there were times during his youth and inexperience as a pro that Cotto made questionable decisions, perhaps egged on by his hometown crowd (such as his decision to abandon all defense and slug it out with Chop Chop in Puerto Rico), or his lack of regard for his opponents' punching power (such as against Ricardo Torres). At this point, I always felt he was believing the hype about himself and wanted to KO everyone while forgetting that "slow and steady wins the race." Since then, he has been more deliberate and methodical and if he approaches Manny this way, I don't see how he can lose.

[Spicoli]

Totally agree on Bradley Amat.Taking strides against recent top level comp,headbutt or no headbutt.Another to me,though eartly is Joseph Agbeko vs Darchinyan...that shocked the shite outta me,his controlled boxing and gameplan.

[Mar]

vic darchiniyan, gotta throw manny pac in there i guess.

[ElTerribleMorales]

the obvious one is Pacquiao, anyone who doesn't admit it is blind

but well Cotto, Katsidis to a certain point, and Darchinyan deserve a mention

[JonnyFolds]

Anyone think... just maybe Paul Williams? He went from pitty pat paul to putting some snap on the end of his punches for a change.

[El Kabong]

words "dominant" and "heavyweight" combined is hardly a major accomplishment nowadays is it?

Pacquiaos fought more names in the last 2 years than Wlad has in his entire career!

#1 That depends on who you ask....ask Audley Harrison how difficult it is to be dominant in the heavyweight division.

#2 That's because Pacquiao has the freedom to move up in weight and chase challenges, Wlad can ONLY fight at heavyweight.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

Since they first broke on the...title scene. Obviously prospects improve into contenders but what guys have really either added or rounded out there skill sets significantly since first bursting onto the title scene.

The obvious two who jump to mind are the two fighting each other in December, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

With Pacquiao it's plain as day to see, it would be rough to say he's 1 dimensional even when he beat Barrera but just watched his fight in San Francisco versus Agapito Sanchez and it's amazing how one dimensional he was. The left was basically it for Pacquiao and stayed that way, his defense wasn't anything special and while the speed and power combination was there,his balance wasn't. Just remarkable how much he has improved under Freddy Roach. People who say Roach is overrated and just stumbled upon Pacquiao are just in plain denial. Look at the work he has done on Pac's in/out movement, balance, punch arsenal/selection, composure he has really become a different fighter.

Cotto is much the same, perhaps not as dramatically improved but he did add a whole new skillset. He now has a jab that is among boxing's best, he has learned how to win rounds, do more then just mindlessly go forward,ect. Look at his approach in the Ricardo Torres fight,which was mindless just walk the guy down, fire punches, wear him down. He won a firefight in that one. Fast forward to the Carlos Quintana fight and that was the beginning of the turnaround that saw him outbox Shane Mosley down the stretch of their fight.

Another one, Timothy Bradley. I got to give him credit, same thing go back to the pre-Witter days,I was never impressed all that much with Bradley. I thought he was lethargic sometimes even now he is one of the better high energy, high output fighters in boxing. He's done a good job shortening his punches and his speed has definitely increased, and by a good measure too.

Thoughts?

I always thought Cotto had the skills he is currently showing more of. I mean, he had an extensive amateur career and is probably the most decorated Puerto Rican amateur in history. That's a lot of boxing. It's just that there were times during his youth and inexperience as a pro that Cotto made questionable decisions, perhaps egged on by his hometown crowd (such as his decision to abandon all defense and slug it out with Chop Chop in Puerto Rico), or his lack of regard for his opponents' punching power (such as against Ricardo Torres). At this point, I always felt he was believing the hype about himself and wanted to KO everyone while forgetting that "slow and steady wins the race." Since then, he has been more deliberate and methodical and if he approaches Manny this way, I don't see how he can lose.

I almost feel glad that a Cotto fan just said that. I can't agree enough!!!

I feel it's all down to the testicular fortitude and the whiskers of the guy infront of him... If Cotto truely belives he can blast his way out of trouble, then he just keeps on banging away.

'Tis the same reason why he's putting little Pacqauio to sleep

[CutMeMick]

Not being a dick or anything but most of the ones being mentioned are the obvious I thought we were going for the OTHER fighters.

[JazMerkin]

Humberto Soto is one guy who just seems to always be getting better to me. I think he will shock some people when he gets up to Lightweight

[CutMeMick]

As for Cotto... if only I could revive some of threads for you guys to read some of the things that we're said about him...

- Robot
- 1 dimensional
- Glass chin
- Wont go far
- He'll be KO'd in less then 20 fights

I can go on and on....

[ElTerribleMorales]

As for Cotto... if only I could revive some of threads for you guys to read some of the things that we're said about him...

- Robot
- 1 dimensional
- Glass chin
- Wont go far
- He'll be KO'd in less then 20 fights

I can go on and on....

well up to certain point you can say Katsidis has improved since his fight with Casamayor

[El Kabong]

There are a lot of guys where it's too early to tell if they have improved Mick. Amir Kahn, Tavoris Cloud, Andy Lee, Breidis Prescott, ...there is a lot of RAW talent out there that needs to be polished up. And there are a lot of guys who have just recently lost and haven't had the chance to get a second shot to improve.

Wlad, Pac, Cotto...those guys had serious questions posed to them about how they could do at the top and all 3 have answered back with good if not great results.

Guys that need to show improvement right now: Chad Dawson, John Duddy, Alfredo Angulo, etc.

IMO Duddy could be a serious contender at middleweight vs the right guys...bar Williams he would do ok vs the current guys at the top of the division if he can block a few punches.

[CutMeMick]

IMO Duddy could be a serious contender at middleweight vs the right guys...bar Williams he would do ok vs the current guys at the top of the division if he can block a few punches.

Gotta disagree. Duddys got heart no doubt but I don't think he beats the top guys. I'm not sure he can beat Karmazin, Sylvester or Canclaux. I can see him in blood bath vs. David Lopez and a war vs. Miguel Espino fights where he's got the upper hand and can win.

[El Kabong]

It wasn't that long ago that Karmazin got KO'd by Alex Bunema, Sylvester got demolished by Asikanin and schooled by Sturm. I haven't seen Canclaux so I can't say how he'd do vs him.

Duddy has heart and he can put his punches together pretty good. I figured Duddy's best chances were at 154, but 160 isn't that deep right now.

[ElTerribleMorales]

It wasn't that long ago that Karmazin got KO'd by Alex Bunema, Sylvester got demolished by Asikanin and schooled by Sturm. I haven't seen Canclaux so I can't say how he'd do vs him.

Duddy has heart and he can put his punches together pretty good. I figured Duddy's best chances were at 154, but 160 isn't that deep right now.

Williams, Sturm, Pavlik, even Mora all beat Duddy, he's just not too good, his defense sucks, and he's slower than he thinks he is (keeps his hands too low), he fights a dumb fight 9 times out of 10