Better. But I think we'll need to see more of Cotto under pressure at 147 before we can fairly judge. The Mosley fight just could've been a fluke (and Cotto did win it regardless).
I honestly think Cotto would have a good chance. Quartey was good when he could just overpower guys but when people didn't fold up from him after about 9 or 10 rds, he started to fade and you could even question his own toughness at that point. Of course Quartey had an excellant head body arm defense back in the day so this fight would be tough to score or predict. I think Quartey would take it though if he utilized that ramrod jab that he was so good with.
Quartey would not be as easy to hit as old-ass Mosley was. Ike keeps his hands up well and uses his elbows to block body shots. He'd nail Cotto with the jab all night and counter with chopping right hands. Ike by comfortable decision, probably 117-110.
This is a really tough fight for Cotto. Ignore styles. Ignore Ike's jab. Ignore Ike's tight as fuck guard. Concentrate only on the strength differential here. Quartey is one of the strongest welters I ever saw and Miguel has enjoyed a fine run so far, while holding that advantage in nearly all of his fights, including 147. He is at a severe dissadvantage here. If he cant back up Quartey (and I don't se ehow he would) he would not win this fight. Ike wins a very clear, exciting UD.
Yeah, but Ike's strength factor only really manifested itself against lesser fighters or guys too small for him like Carr, or Vince Phillips. When he fought elite guys like Oscar, Vargas, even Lopez he didn't seem like the super strong welter he's often envisioned as. I think it was just because he was up against lesser competition, and seeing as how Cotto is an elite guy, the strength factor might not be as one sided as you think.
The same can be said about Cotto who's made a good career out of being the stronger guy fighting naturally smaller opponents. Especially, when he was at 140.
Cotto isnt as good as a prime DLH, isnt as powerful as Lopez, and isnt as big n strong as Vargas was.
Ike's peekaboo defense and hard jab may cause serious problems for Cotto. However Cotto has shown many dimensions. Still I think Ike is too strong and wins a MD in a good fight.
you know I was a huge IKE fan but I really think he has become over-rated. IMO Cotto is in route to be a GREAT fighter and as he is right now I'd pick him over Ike
Quartey did back Lopez up for most of the fight. Which is why he won most of the rounds. I think he'd have similar success backing Cotto up, especially when you consider that N'dou had no problems backing Cotto up. And as slick as Cotto likes to pretend his new "boxing" style is, it'd be completely useless against a prime Quartey moving forward behind his jab (which he could also hook off of).
Exactly. To beat Ike, Cotto would have to hope to wear him down cause I definitely cant see him outboxing Ike. And I think Miguel's hook is not on the same level as Lopez's, and a prime DLH's.
Not as deadly, but definately more accurate, and Cotto's timing is why he is so good. I love Quartey... but I think Cotto at 147 wins by UD very close by winning the last 3 rounds to win the fight by wearing him down to the body with his constant pressure and bodypunching...
