Cotto's next fight made me think about that. If Cotto pulls out a great performance and goes on to win a few big fights, and I'll be the first one surprised if it happens, I think it will be fair to say he rose from the dead if it happens. I feel Cotto can still earn a living in boxing but his days as a top fighter are done now IMHO. I think he'll beat Foreman, who's rather ordinary IMO (don't let the Santos fight fool you), but I don't think he will pull out another very good performance in his career. Do you guys have examples of fighters that were seen as done but came back and went on to resurrect what looked like a dying career. Please name them and tell us their story. artie:
I'll give an example with a story that doesn't need to be told (everybody knows it) : Evander Holyfield.
Oleg Maskaev is probably a decent, though modest, example. After his knockout losses to Kirk Johnson, Lance Whitaker and Corey Sanders, he didn't look like a fighter that would accomplish much else in his career, but managed to put some wins together, get in line for a belt and then knockout Hasim Rahman and win a world title. A lot of people wrote off Wladimir Klitschko after the Sanders and Brewster stoppages - and that could even extend to the Williamson and Peter fights in which he was dropped - but he's gone on to win multiple world titles and is unbeaten since 2004.
I know my shit gets old ld: but....after Wlad beat Sam Peters, Boxing Monthly ran an article entitled "Dead Man Still Walking" I dont think Cotto will beat Foreman, unless Foreman eschews his stick and move game. That said, Cotto is about as dead as they come in the game. He took two major beatings in his two defeats and is now fighting a seriously good boxer at a higher weight than he is used to.
I like the Maskaev example. Junior and Phillips are decent, too. I'll throw out Charles Brewer. After Beasley starched him with an uppercut, he pretty much quit on camera after the Rafael Williams fight in his next fight. Then 2 fights later he loses again. After that, he put together a nice run, won a belt, made a few defenses and actually earns Ottke credit as a good win. I don't agree with that, but it's how it is.
Yeah I like the Maskaev example too. After the Sanders loss, I thought Maskaev would retire. Maskaev was universally seen as a washed up fighter.
Roberto Duran when he defeated Iran Barkley after suffering humilliating losses to Hearns and Robbie Sims and seemed destined to fight grade C & D boxers. The victory over Barkley in his own words 'reborn' Manos de Piedra for one last hurrah big fight rematch to Leonard.
