06.11.07 - By Scoop Malinowski: "Ruthlessness, power and determination," are why Paulie Malignaggi says Miguel Cotto is the toughest man he's ever faced. Of course, ring observers are quite familiar with the trademark relentless tenacity of the unbeaten WBA Welterweight champ. But what is the power like actually? I asked veteran photographer Chris Farina, who would know as well as just about anyone. "Besides the referee, it's us (who are closest to the action) We're seeing what they're seeing. We're getting a perspective that even the closest fan doesn't get. I can feel them, I hear them and I get the sweat of them - or the blood. Like when Cotto hit Zab Judah - the one knockdown at the end. I thought (Judah) was crying for somebody, man. He was in the corner, just...he didn't want to move. Let's put it that way. I didn't think he was getting up at all. At all. You hear things that you know the fight is over and the fans ten rows back might not. I knew the fight was over. Some of the sounds, grunts, noises we hear in the corner - the casual fans don't hear that 10, 20 rows back. I knew the fight was over.." The courageous Judah absorbed vicious punishment from Cotto in that fight. "And they were just wearing on him, just wearing him down, matter of time," says Farina. "And Miguel's gonna do the same to Mosley, I think. Winning by attrition. Winning by wearing him down. But Sugar's fast. Sugar's tough. It's gonna be a real tough fight. I guarantee you that." Miguel Cotto was at Kingsway Gym at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon for a media workout, demonstrating the pulverizing blows he will use to try to destroy Shane Mosley this Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Cotto did around ten rounds of hitting the pads and then another two or three of shadowboxing. And the power and technical sharpness of his punches were mesmerizing to much of the media who watched in respectful silence as the master worked. "He's like a miniature Mike Tyson, Rocky Marciano and Jake Lamotta," offered one veteran writer. "This guy is a human wrecking machine," surmised another. "I don't see how Mosley will be able to take this for 12 rounds." The champion's fitness coach for the last four fights Phil Landman, a Los Angeles-based South African, says Cotto's power for this fight might even be more brutally violent than in previous battles. "It's seems like Miguel is coming in with a little more power into this fight. We've focused a lot more on his core work (hip, torso and abdominal) and a lot more in the gym on exercises that are specific to grooving his strength and power." When Landman was told that Miguel's uncle and trainer Evangelista Cotto had earlier revealed that two sparring partners were sent to the hospital with rib injuries, he smiled. "I didn't want to tell you that. Two of three sparring partners - one left early for a fight and the other two had to leave only because of Miguel. So that's a good sign for us." Evangelista knows what the difficulties will be in boxing Mosley. "The main obstacle is the speed. But we figure as long the fight progresses, it won't be as much of a factor. At the end of the fight he won't have the same speed as he has in the beginning." The trainer is very respectful of Mosley but seems quietly confident that his nephew will prevail, like he always has. As usual with Cotto, there will be no secrets or surprises in the strategy to offset Mosley's Hall of Fame caliber attributes. "Basically, we'll stay with the classic style. We'll come in, see what they do, and little by little as he starts attacking us, we'll start cutting him down." I asked Evangelista, who has trained his nephew from the beginning, when he first realized Miguel would become the great fighter he is today? "I always knew he was going to be champ. We believed in him always. When he was younger, he was always younger than the other fighters and he beat up older fighters. He always fought against older people than him. Every fight that he step up and every opponent that he beat - so that's when you realize that he's gonna be a great fighter." There is a generally accepted opinion that Floyd Mayweather is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world today, despite his reluctance of fighting the most dangerous and risky opposition and his apparent lack of interest in participating in a welterweight title unification tournament. Miguel Cotto, in his own modest way, is not one who totally believes all the hype about Floyd. I asked Cotto who he thinks is the best fighter in boxing today and he answered with a smile, "If you're asking me, it's Miguel Cotto." If Cotto takes care of business on Saturday night in typical fashion, the notion of Mayweather as the world's best welterweight will be in question. And a welterweight unification tournament should be in order. Read the Miguel Cotto Biofile at www.thebiofile.com
I kinda feel bad for Shane hes a great guy. He is going to take a brutal beating even if he wins this fight. Every round is going to get worse and worse for Shane.
No, that is your opinion. A fact is that in four days we will see a one-sided beating in favor of Mosley
See although I can certainly envision Shane winning..as Shane is tough, strong, fast determined and hits very hard (and he's probably the slightly bigger guy)...my reason for picking Cotto is that I think THIS is the fight in which he'll peak! This would be his Ali vs Williams, Tyson vs Holmes, Louis-Schmeling 2, Lewis-Ruddock type fight. This is the big one and the one in which he'll shine. Mosley has been there before...he's had his big victories...this will beCotto's first opportunity and so when the going gets tough...COtto will be the hungrier fighter. Plus in the trenchware that they are GUARANTEED to wage after 2 or 3 rounds...you have to pick the more powerful, accurate and relentless fighter and that is Cotto.
I am pulling for Shane and he was/is my pick but as it gets closer I'm started to wonder... Cotto is a strong kid!
no doubt this will be a great fight. I think I agree with you that this can be a fight in which Cotto breaks out. I did want to say that I think Ali's best performance came against either Liston (1) or Frazier (3) both for very different reasons. And with Tyson I think the Spinks fight was his best performance. Although I do agree with Louis-Schmelling 2
Age is being played to much into this. Mosley is just so much more of a complete fighter. Also the styles don't work out well for Cotto. Shane's footspeed will be a huge factor. Expect to hear the "I told ya so's" from me when this is all said and done.
I'm addressing Ugo's post specifically more than commenting on the fight itself. And believe me, you've made it quite clear where you stand, time and time again...."I told ya so's" will not be needed. :: Peace.
I would give Mosley a better shot if he would use his MOVEMENT more but Mosley will instigate exchanges. Notice what Cotto's uncle said: As he starts attacking us we will break him down. Sure Abdulleav HAD to attack Cotto, as is/was his style, with very little speed, plodding forward. Cotto peppered him from the outside until Mohammed culdn't fight no more. Mosley is not a PATIENT fighter. He is a brawler/boxer. It is when Mosley will want to take a breather, when Miguel will step it up with the body work. That's my original rationalization for leaning towards Cotto for this fight, but Mosley is tough as nails and with a great chin. The only time I've seen Mosley hurt by a body shot was the same fight where he was hurt to the head and the freaking fight went 12 rounds and all the way to a decision!!! The first fight with Forrest. Cotto might win but I don't think Mosley is getting knocked out.
