Miguel Cotto will win this weekend! I am convinced he will. It is just a matter of how his wins. Will he win impressively, or will he win close. This is not a knock on Joshua Clottey, who I happen to like as a fighter. He is tough and strong as they come. But it is hard for me picturing Cotto losing in New York City in front of all his fans. Besides a tough fight, there is something else on the line for Cotto. A possible career high payday against Manny Pacquiao in a proposed Oct 17th fight. Now nobody has committed to anything, but this fight is a natural because it seems like Top Rank wants it to happen. Manny Pacquiao?s people would force Cotto come down to a catch weight, and Cotto has said he would not fight below 145 pounds, but don?t be surprised if 10 million dollars would convince him otherwise.
In looking at this fight. I see 2 things playing a role. Cotto?s underrated boxing skills, and Clottey tendency to fade late. For all of Cotto?s strength and power, he is a tremendous boxer when he wants to be. He throws a good jab, and move around the ring very well. Some have questioned his heart, but you can?t count me as one of them. I remember his fight against Ricardo Torres a few years back. If that isn?t heart I don?t know what is. That was a fantastic comeback and Cotto?s 2nd most memorable win in my opinion. (Shane Mosley fight 1st)
Plaster also seems the talk of the week too. My thoughts are as follows, if Antonio Margarito supposededly used Plaster against Cotto, don?t you think he used it against Clottey in 2006. And if so, why didn?t he beat down Clottey like he did Cotto. Now I am not condoning using plaster in gloves. I believe Margarito got what he deserved with his 1 year suspension. And his trainer should be banned for life. But for people to make a blanket statement and say he cheated in all his fights, it just doesn?t make any sense. He couldn?t hurt Paul Williams or Clottey, with or with out plaster. What does it say about their chins. A different conversation for a different time. Back to fight.
Clottey has faded in the past, against Carlos Baldomir, which he was disqualified, and also against Margarito. Where he had an early lead, broke his hand, and lost a decision. This I think will play a part in the fight.
In the end, Clottey while tough as nails. He just is not on Miguel Cotto?s level. Miguel Cotto is one of the top 10 fighters in the sport, and he is just a superior fighter. If you held a gun to my head, I will say Cotto by decision likely in the 116-112 range. It will be a good action fight close early, with Cotto winning down the stretch. But Clottey is a live underdog. And if the odds ever got to 4-1 for Cotto, I might take that bet on Clottey.
Not For the Welterweight Crown
You will hear that this fight is for the Welterweight Crown, but it really isn?t. Shane Mosley is the lineal Welterweight Champion of the world, no matter what Ring Magazine says. Cyberboxingzone.com has Mosley as the lineal champion and that is the way it should be. Here is my Logic:
Miguel Cotto beats Shane Mosley in a close fight in 2007, I scored it a draw, but I have no problem with Cotto getting the decision. Cotto thus becomes the number 1 challenger for Floyd Mayweathers Jr. title.
Mayweather retires. Title becomes vacant. Cotto, Paul Williams, Mosley and Margarito are all in the top 4 contenders. Margarito proceeds to beat Cotto convincingly, no matter what people think. And Paul Williams moves up and beat Verno Phillips in 154 interim title fight. Thus leaving Mosley, Cotto, and Margarito. Now according to most rules, any fight between the top 3 should lead to a lineal champion. And in the past Ring Magazine sanctioned a 1 vs 3 match-up between Shane Mosley and Vernon Forrest. (Mosley was the lineal champion then as well, but that is a different conversion for a different time) But they decided not to sanction Mosley-Margarito. Mosley proceeds to destroy Margarito, thus becoming the Welterweight champion, lineal and by the WBA. Make sense?
Also don?t forget to sign on to a Pacquiao-Mosley 7 in 7 match-up. A history making fight. Could be one for the record books
