Key #1 for Miguel Cotto Use the Left to the Body
Photo by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
By Lou Catalano
Miguel Cotto exploded onto the scene as a hammering, body-punching machine who ripped out men’s insides with a gorgeous left hook. Some of his early work is astounding, like when he brutalized poor Carlos Quintana. He nearly broke him in half with the body work.
But eventually, Cotto stopped using his most effective punch. He got away from what put the boxing world on notice. Once he hooked up with Freddie Roach, the trainer who helped Manny Pacquiao destroy him a few years ago, Cotto got back to it.
He looks like a goddamn wrecking ball, and that left to the liver has made a triumphant return. For Cotto to beat the younger, bigger and presumably stronger Canelo Alvarez, he has to slow him down.
Nothing slows a guy down like having his liver used as a snare drum for several rounds. And Canelo will be there, right in front of Cotto, all night long. If the Puerto Rican star can soften Alvarez up to the body, he can then go upstairs with the left hook to the head.
Key #1 for Canelo Alvarez Start Fast
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Golden Boy Promotions
By Tony Calcara
For Canelo Alvarez to beat an elite, experienced, 35-year-old fighter like Miguel Cotto–and he certainly has the skills, heart and desire to do so–he needs to get off to a fast start and cannot let up. It would be wise to reflect on boxing history and look at fights like Evander Holyfield versus George Foreman or Manny Pacquiao versus Oscar De La Hoya.
There are lessons to be learned here in terms of starting fast, taking control early and using your youth and speed to be the boss.
Cotto is a determined, experienced warrior and is–in all fairness–a youthful looking 35. As the younger man, Canelo must fight his fight and write the book on ring generalship. He cannot fall behind early or he risks making mistakes later that Cotto will surely capitalize on.
