Why Cotto Beat Sergio Martinez

By Bradley Dee - 06/09/2014 - Comments

cotto7822222By Bradley Dee: If you recall my earlier article here, I predicted that Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO’s) had a great chance at beating WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (51-3-2, 28 KO’s) in their fight last Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2014/02/why-cotto-can-beat-martinez/

As you can see in the comments section, I was also bashed, belittled, beaten on, etc, by many a reader for this prediction. Some even go as far as name calling.

Why did I predict this and why did it happen? Two reasons, and none of them had to do with the knees of Martinez. The first reason was Cotto’s trainer Freddie Roach, and the second reason was Cotto.

Don’t start with the knees excuse for Sergio. Everyone including Martinez had said going into last Saturday’s fight that his knees were fine. Everyone had also stated that the punches in the first round were what hurt Martinez, and not his knees. Martinez got hit hard, and hit often starting in round one by Cotto with his left hooks. Martinez got out-boxed, out-punched, and outworked by Cotto in this fight.

Let’s also revisit the comments from Martinez leading up to the fight where he said that he was 100 percent, and his knees and shoulder were completely healed, and that Cotto was facing the best Martinez possible. That’s exactly what was said before the fight, and why Martinez chose not to make excuses for losing, unlike some of his fans and Cotto haters. Let’s also remember, Martinez predicted a knockout and that he was the harder puncher of the two. He said he was out to damage Cotto, but he couldn’t do it.

Before bashing writers in the comments section, take a moment to reflect on a sport where many possibilities can affect the outcome of a fight. In this fight, trainer, fighter, and opponent all had to do with the outcome. I won’t weigh the entire results on opponent this time.

As stated in my previous article-

“Cotto may be catching Martinez at the right time in his career to make this a winnable fight. Martinez will come into this fight with over a year off. A post surgery, long layoff Martinez could be beatable. To do this, Cotto must fight the perfect fight. Keep Martinez on those bum knees as much as possible. Cut off the ring. Fire hooks to the body. Make Martinez work every second of every round.”

Most of what was said here happened, except according to Martinez, the knees were not a factor. Cotto cut the ring off, used good body work, and fought the perfect fight against Martinez.

Give Cotto credit, we have a new Middleweight champion, and for now, or at least until he fights Triple G, Gennady Golovkin. This is a fight that Cotto probably cannot win. If Cotto’s promoter Bob Arum is smart he’ll keep Cotto far away from Golovkin.



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