Welcome to Fantasy Showdown, where we pit two fan favorites who never went head to head against each other. In this inaugural edition, we pit Felix Trinidad (42-3, 35 KOs) and Miguel Cotto (38-4, 31 KOs), two of Puerto Rico?s greatest fighters, in a hypothetical clash at welterweight.
Our own John Curry and Ryan Bates discuss who they think would come out victorious had they met in their primes. Ryan Bates
I?ve always liked Miguel Cotto. People may talk about the demons in his head left over from where Antonio Margarito may (or may not) have thumped on him with doctored gloves, but he?s recovered nicely. The man works the body hard in classic Puerto Rican style and fights with the warrior?s mentality to the final bell.
Surely he learned that from fellow Puerto Rican Felix ?Tito? Trinidad, who stands as one of the textbooks of Puerto Rican fight styles. Although he dismantled my personal favorite, Fernando Vargas, on my birthday in 2000, no less, Trinidad was master of the body game. He didn?t have to learn ?upstairs-downstairs? movement, as he recognized the whole upper body must be attacked in succession ? body work might not totally finish a guy, but headhunting leaves more strength to come back. And in Trinidad?s case, sometimes that body work DID finish a guy.
Photo: Chris Farina / Top Rank
But a textbook is forever. Open it one day and it says one thing. Open it a month later, and it says the same thing. Open it a year later, and it still says the same thing. Cotto doesn?t have that kind of consistency, especially post-Margarito. Some days he looks and fights on point, while others he looks and fights like he has other places to be. Combine that with his propensity to leave his alley wide open for uppercuts, which Trinidad in his prime was happy to serve up, and it would be a wrap for Tito Trinidad. John Curry
In an epic battle of arguably two of the top five Puerto Rican fighters of all time, Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad we are presented with speed versus power. Trinidad is often held at or near the top of Puerto Rican fighters due to his lanky frame and smooth speed punctuated by a lighting fast jab. Cotto on the other side of the ring, is known for his much stockier stance (he is 5?7″) and his inside power.
In a battle for the legacy of Puerto Rican fighters, this one would go all 12 rounds. Cotto is great at taking punishment so a KO is out of the picture to me. Trinidad is too long at 5?11 and exhibits the perfect jab to keep his distance and allow himself to control the flow of the fight. While Cotto would grow frustrated in the later rounds hoping to close the distance and land the inside shot, Trinidad is ready for it and having fought a similar fighter in Camacho, Trinidad would not let the fight out of his control. I see Cotto winning a few of the early to mid rounds, most likely 3-7 due to aggression and punches landed, but ultimately Trinidad?s ring control, length and speed would guarantee him the win.
My Prediction: Felix Trinidad Jr. defeats Miguel Cotto via unanimous decision.
