So who is Miguel Cotto? Overview and analysis
Age: 27
Height: 5’7
Reach: 67”
Pro-Record: W32(26K.O.) L0 D0
Miguel Cotto’s the early years
Miguel Cotto has trained at the famed Bairoa Gym in his home town of Caguas, Puerta Rico from childhood. The Bairoa Gym has housed genuine world class fighters such as Alfredo Salsero Escalera, Hector Macho Camacho and Julian Solis and it is clear Cotto has been schooled to compete at the very highest level of boxing from a very young age.
With his uncle guiding him at the gym it is no suprise that Miguel Cotto became a top amateur, winning several international boxing awards including a Silver medal in the 1998 Junior World Championships and earning the right to represent Puerto Rico at Light Welterweight (140lbs) in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Miguel Cotto at 140lbs
After failing to medal at the Olympics Miguel Cotto turned proffessional as a Light Welterweight in February 2001. Quickly establishing himself as a fans favourite Miguel Cotto overcame a number of good fighters overcoming a range of statures and styles to win the WBO version of the Light Welterweight title against Kelson Pinto a tall rangy puncher who had beaten him in the amateurs.
Miguel Cotto went on to defend this title successfully six times despite widespread rumours that he struggled to make the weight and like his then rival Ricky Hatton wasn’t the MOST stringent proffessional when not fighting. These problems (if they were problems) may be the cause of the main questions raised about Miguel Cotto when fighting at 140.
Although Cotto successfully stopped Riccardo Torres and Demarcus Corley in title defenses, his superhuman image was tainted against Corely, where Cotto was cleary hurt and then shattered BY Torres where he was badly hurt and seemingly on the brink. Since moving up to Welterweight however Miguel Cotto has laid most questions to rest and can now lay claim to one boxing most prestigous mantles, “King of Puerto Rican Boxing.”
Miguel Cotto fighting at 147lbs
Long been considered the heir to Puerta Rican Boxing Greats Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez and Felix Trinidad, Cotto clearly cemented this posistion in 2007 with a number of decisive wins. First came victory over country man Carlos Qunitana who had ended the unbeaten record of touted prospect Joel Julio to win the title. The magnitude of Miguel Cotto’s demolition of Carlos Quintana was magnified in wake of Qunitana’s title winning performance against Paul Williams. Qunitana outclassed Williams who delivered Antonio Margarito last defeat. (Paul Williams recently avenged his loss to Quntana via first round K.O. to reclaim his title ruined this point).
After beating seasoned pro Oktay Urkal in his first defense of his WBA belt Cotto contested a thrilling fight againt Zab Judah where Cotto became only the second man to stop Super Zab Judah (the first since his move up to Welterweight). Overcoming a tough first round where he was hurt and seemingly on the brink of defeat, Miguel Cotto dug deep as he had to against Ricardo Torres and did what he had to do to get out of trouble… He delivered the punch that was the prefix to Felix Trinidad’s ultimate destruction of Fernando Vargas, a hard shot below the belt guranteed to turn the pressure off… Brutal fouls asides this fight let me know Miguel Cotto. was a warrior walking through mosterous blows to grind down Zab Judah and get the stoppage win.
Cotto ended the year decisioning and suprisingly out jabbing “the boxer” Sugar Shane Moseley. Although 35 Moseley was on a high having schooled the difficult left hander Luis Collazo (which for me made Ricky Hattons performance seem all the worse) and delivering back to back stoppage wins against Fernando Vargas.
This years win against Alfonso Gomez doesn’t particularly add to the legacy but this could change depending on what Gomez does next I guess.
So what are Miguel Cotto’s strengths?
Cotto’s Body shots
I’ve heard Miguel Cotto described as the best body puncher in boxing today… not sold on that one but there is no doubt he is up there and it is definately a weapon he can use to make a fighter think.
Cotto’s Punch Variatrion
Cotto has always been good with the left hook but the Shane Moseley performance showed me that Miguel Cotto is more than just your everyday boxer puncher he is now able to outbox opponents by dominating fights behind the jab. Add to that a vastly improved straight right and a mean uppercut and you start to realise that Miguel Cotto can more or less do it all! Betting Tip: Cotto’s slicing attack could have the doctor stepping around the 7th or 8th
Cotto’s Will to win
I have written off Miguel Cotto on three occasions… My mistake. First was Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley who seriously rocked Cotto only to be stopped in the next round (controversial to some but not to me). Then Riccardo Torres had Cotto all over the place! Again Cotto would not be denied breaking his man down to the body until he wanted no more. Finally and for me most impressively, it was proven finisher Zab Judah who rocked Cotto with a mamouth uppercut and was one punch away from having his arm raised! I was convinced it was over for Cotto, WRONG! One well placed shot to the groin ended that attack. It’s clear to me this guy does not quit! He teeters on the edge but never steps off! Miguel Cotto is more Carl Thompson/Evander Holyfield than Mike Tyson/Kermit Cintron.
Cotto’s Left hook
Head or Body this is probaby Miguel Cotto’s stand out punch, fast hard and accurate there arent many if any boxers around who throw this punch better at any weight.
Cotto’s Chin
Although Cotto has been hurt badly and even knocked down by Riccardo Torres he has always gotten up to win. In a era of boxing where prospects who can provide clear revenue potential are matched safely Cotto’s handlers have not been shy in putting him in with punchers. Just check out the records of Riccardo Torres, Carlos Maussa, Kelson Pinto and Zab Judah if you dont beleive me. Betting Tip: If this ends within the first three rounds Cotto gets caught cold
Cotto’s Timing
This is the secret behind Cotto’s Jab and his ability to counter punch. To say Shane Moseley and Carlos Quintana are decent technicians is an understatement. Cotto’s superb timing the source of his success as an amateur and is now serving him well as a proffessional. Not the fastest or the slickest of fighters (not saying he’s slow), it is Cotto’s timing that makes him stand out at the highest level.
Cotto’s Boxing pedigree
Although Miguel Cotto failed to gain awards at the three major senior amature events, (The World Championships, The Pan American Games and the Olympics) he has extensive experience at world amateur level that has provided a solid grounding.
Cotto’s Level of Opposition
Matched well throughout his career Miguel Cotto has had the unenviable challenge of consistently fighting high calibre opposition while always being considered the favourite. This will be the case again when he faces Antonio Margarito and if he wins this fight I can only persume Top Rank have one of the smartest match makers in the business (plausible) or Miguel Cotto is that good. (possible)
Miguel Cotto’s weaknesses
Cotto’s Defense
I wouldnt say Miguel Cotto had a bad defense as he is generally a very compact fighter. He isnt afraid to let his punches go which is bound to leave him open to counters and there are a few punches which he is more vunerable to than others.
Uppercuts
From what Ive seen Miguel Cotto leans forward when coming in leaving him open for the Uppercut Shane Mosely and Zab Judah were able to land this punch on Cotto. The amount of punishment Cotto put them through to get this small success meant their confidence was already in shreds and they were often hesistating instead of caspitalising on this vunerability.
That Right Hand
No secret here! Cotto is always open for the right hand. Numerous fighters have landed rights of all shapes and sizes straight rights through the guard, looping hooks around the outside it doesnt matter what kind of right it is – Cotto will block 1 of every 4 with his face. Some of the fighters who have enjoyed a bit more success than most with the right had include:Mosely, Corley, Torres, Abdulaev and Zab Judah. (Who was able to land that left a faIr bit too. Although I put that down to another Cotto weakness).
Cotto and Speed
Yes speed Pauli Malinaggi troubled Cotto with his hand and foot speed and was able to land on Cotto if not hurt him. Zab Judah well he did hurt Cotto but we have talked about that. And if im honest i felt the lessons he learned against Malinaggi helped him to eventaully control both Zab Judah and Shane Moseley in their respective fights.
Cotto’s Strength and Size
What may be a decisive problem for Miguel Cotto is Margarito’s size! Cotto will not have faced anyone as big, strong or durable as Antonio Margarito in his career to date. Will the smaller Miguel Cotto be able to hurt Antonio Margarito? Does Miguel Cotto have enough power to make Antonio Margarito think twice? Right now I am thinking Miguel Cotto cannot bully or intimidate Antonio Margarito and if his plan is to slug it out with Margarito he loses.
Cotto’s Conditioning
Does Miguel Cotto have the stamina to follow Paul Williams example and outwork Anotnio Margarito who if renown for keeping it coming all night and getting stronger after each round. In his fight with Shane Moseley after taking over and fighting at his own pace during the middle rounds I was alaremed when Cotto seemed to wilt in the closing stanza’s of the the fight. If Moseley himself had not been exhausted, weakened from body shots and 35, he could have gone on to overwhelm Miguel Cotto in those late rounds. Like Mosely I expect Margarito to land his fair share of body shots
My next post will take a look at who Antonio Margarito is
Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito Latest News
Miguel Cotto speaks on Margarito fight
Daniel Santos see’s one winner in Cotto vs Margarito fight
Tags: A, Boxing analysis, boxing betting tips, boxing information, boxing news, Miguel Cotto, Miguel Cotto analysis, Miguel Cotto betting tips, Miguel Cotto fight, Miguel Cotto fights. Antonio Margarito fights, Miguel cotto vs Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito prediction
June 24, 2008 at 3:40 pm |
Great article!!!! When is the article on Mararito going to be posted? Also will you be providing a prediction?
June 24, 2008 at 8:24 pm |
Thanks for the comment, I am working on the Margarito article as we speak and you can expect to see it in a week or so.
And I can confirm I will be providing a prediction!
July 12, 2008 at 8:18 pm |
great analisis, i think, if cotto box and uses his boxig skills he could win by desicion an a posible TKO. but if he slugs with margarito in the center of the ring, margarito will catch him with one of his huge’s uppercuts, and bye, bye, night over. but i think that cotto is too inteligent and he will give margarito a boxing lesson. cotto by UD
July 20, 2008 at 8:56 am |
This is a detailed and well-written analysis. Keep it up and keep it coming. I’ll always be visiting here from now on.
Also, I would love to see your analysis on the proposed Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya, after Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions have sealed the deal.
July 22, 2008 at 5:22 am |
Good analisys man… I agree with you at most part but I think Cotto has improved alot recently, so some of his weaknesses might not be there anymore. I mean, after the Shane Mosley fight I’ve seen a much better defense.
I agree man, slug out with Margarito would be his key to lose the fight. Margarito’s chin is near granite, and the guy is a big one, so I dont think slugging will help him anyway.
I’m rolling with Cotto by stoppage because I believe he has the skills to beat Margarito to the punch, like he did to Gomez(not as one sided though), and will wear him down and eventually get the fight to be stopped in the late rounds.
October 12, 2008 at 5:18 pm |
[...] Chu on boxing Weblog Boxing betting tips at there finest « Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito betting tips, anaylisis and prediction: Who is Miguel Cotto [...]