Yup... I was always a big Tito detractor but it has become ridiculous when people think fragile, stiff, workmanlike Cotto would whup him
It's been said on here before. It's not so much that Tito is underrated as compared to Cotto, just in general. People on here talk about him as if he was the Rican version of David Tua. He was a great fighter. The hate on him is strong due to the fact that he was SOOOO overrated during his prime, and before the Hopkins fight his groupies were calling him a top 20 all time fighter.
He was not a great fighter, IMO He was very good though and against the right kind of guys extremely dangerous
Well, he's in the same class as Oscar. It's debatable whether or not they should be considered "greats" or not. Surely, I wouldn't consider them all time greats like Leonard, Hopkins, Jones, Whitaker, ect.
Every last one of Oscar's big fight wins are questionable, with the exception of the Vargas fight, and Tito beat down a fresher Vargas in more impressive fashion. Plus, I'll NEVER get over the fact that DLH took a BLATANT dive against Hopkins.
Oscar was clearly superior when they were in the ring together... He made him look like a big dummy, setting the template every one after followed... I don't give a fuck what anyone says, he won that at least 8-4 easy and that was with giving away the last three rounds Trinidad's biggest win is a bullshit gift (Oscar)... After that it's Vargas Oscar beat Trinidad, IMO and close fights with Quartey and a still useful Whitaker are more valuable to me than a guy who has fuck all "big" outside of Vargas (and again, I can't specify enough how Oscar did as he pleased when he fought Trinidad... he was clearly better)
I remember them asking Manny Steward directly if a bit of extra gauze could enhance a fighter's power. Manny answered "No" with zero hesitation.
the late steve_dave said it best when breaking down Double's argument: "Watch any devastating KO in history and tell me those gloves weren't loaded, you fucking shitcan!!!"
If Tito was unable to score KO's after the Hopkins fight, there might be some argument. But in his first fight back after Hopkins, he damn near took Hassine Cherifi's head off. His power looked the same to me. I don't believe Tito's power was doctored in any way. Say he was one dimensional, say he had suspect footwork, say he wasn't the most adaptable fighter. But he damn sure had the gift of power. Robinson, Hearns, Tito, and Cuevas are the 4 biggest punchers in the history of 147.
Disagreed big time! Spaddy was more feather fisted than Malignaggi. Easily! Paulie M could sting guys once in awhile, and he was able to wobble Juan Diaz in the rematch. He also dropped Ndou. Spaddy's punches had NO effect on guys. He was the most feather fisted belt holder I've ever seen.
I would personally favor Felix Trinidad in this matchup. Being a better fighter is a big advantage when fighting somebody.
