Miguel Cotto's Track Record Against Light Hitting Fighters
Miguel Cotto is known as one of the most rugged and durable fighters of his generation. Although he might not pose incredible one-punch power, he’s won 27 of his 34 career fights by way of the knockout thanks to tenacity, aggression and a tremendous work rate. He throws and lands a high volume of punches round after round, accumulating damage on his opponent that eventually takes its toll.
This is certainly the game plan for Cotto when he takes on Yuri Foreman on June 5 for the WBA light middleweight title. Foreman is known as a highly-skilled fighter who relies on his defensive ability and technical prowess than punching power. While Foreman has a 28-0 record as a professional, he’s only scored eight career knockouts and possesses fast but light hands.
He certainly isn’t the first such fighter that Cotto has faced in his lengthy and successful career. Cotto has better boxing skills than many people give him credit for and is a fine ring tactician. Generally speaking, he has been able to adapt his style to take on defensive-minded fighters and win. Here are a few of Cotto’s past opponents who fit the bill:
Joshua Clottey: In the first round of their fight in June 2009, it appeared that Cotto’s power would be far too much for Clottey, as Cotto dropped his opponent with one punch near the end of the round. However, Clottey would rally and win several rounds by following a retreating Cotto around the ring. It wouldn’t be enough, as Cotto outworked Clottey to earn a split decision and retain his WBO welterweight title. Clottey was simply unable to counter punch effectively, as Cotto made wise use of space to keep Clottey at bay and avoided throwing the types of punches that would leave him vulnerable to a counter.
Michael Jennings: Cotto originally claimed the WBO welterweight title with his win over Jennings at Madison Square Garden in February 2009. The British fighter had a reputation for being slick, fast-punching and hard to hit, all things that have also been said about Foreman. However, Cotto had little trouble dispatching of the British champion, stopping him in five rounds after knocking him down three times during the fight.
Alfonso Gomez: Cotto’s final successful defense of his WBA welterweight title was against Gomez in April 2008. Despite only having eight career knockouts coming into the fight, Gomez had seemingly found some power heading into the fight, having knocked out three of his last four opponents (including Arturo Gatti.) But much like in Cotto’s fight against Jennings, the champion was far too strong, knocking Gomez down three times before the fight was halted after the fifth round.
Oktay Urkal: Fighting in Cotto’s native Puerto Rico in March 2003 for the WBA welterweight title, the German challenger would fight a controversial battle for the title. Urkal - who managed just 12 knockouts in 42 career fights - did more damage with his head than with his fists. He cut Cotto over the left eye in the fifth round via an accidental head butt, and was penalized two points during the fight for further clashes of heads. His trainer threw in the towel after the 11th round, claiming that he was protesting “unfair treatment” at the hands of the referee. (It should be noted that Cotto was comfortably ahead on the cards even without the deductions.) Urkal would not fight again after losing to Cotto.
Paulie Malignaggi: One of the classic “finesse” boxers in modern times, Malignaggi scored just five knockouts in 31 career bouts. His fight against Cotto for the WBO light welterweight title would be one of his bloodiest and most painful. He was battered by Cotto throughout the fight, being dropped and the second round and hammered for the rest of the fight. He would suffer a broken cheekbone along with cuts on his left eye and swelling of the nose, cheek and lip. It wasn’t surprising that Cotto won an easy 12 round decision.
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