Tag Archives: Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto vs. Sadam Ali Odds and Prediction

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Miguel Cotto fights Sadam Ali on December 2nd, 2017 at New York’s Madison Square Garden in what is expected to be the final bout of Cotto’s glorious boxing career.

Cotto is the most decorated Puerto Rican boxer of all-time. The Caguas native has won a total of six boxing world titles in his career and is the current WBO light middleweight champion. He is the only fighter from Puerto Rico to win world titles in four different weight classes.

A Surprise Choice

Earlier this year, Cotto announced that he would be retiring at the end of the year. After winning the WBO 154-pound title, Cotto hoped to fight one more time and face the winner between the middleweight showdown between Saul Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin. But with both headed to a rematch, Cotto decided to look elsewhere. Many were surprised that he picked Sadam Ali.

Known as the World Kid, Sadam Ali was a top amateur prospect who competed for the U.S at the 2008 Olympics. Since turning pro, Ali’s just suffered one loss in 26 fights. That loss was to Jessie Vargas in 2016 for the vacant WBO 147-pound title. Since that defeat, Ali has won two in a row with his most recent win coming over former interim 140-pound title holder Johan Perez last July.

Ali has never fought above welterweight before and it was surprising that Cotto’s camp picked him as the Puerto Rican’s final ring opponent. Cotto, meanwhile, has fought as heavy as middleweight and with this bout for the WBO 154-pound title, Sadam Ali may be David to Cotto’s Goliath.

Going Out in A Blaze of Glory

Cotto is the massive favorite here at -900 while Ali is the underdog at +450. Sadam Ali is a decent boxer but he is way over his head in fighting Miguel Cotto. Cotto doesn’t just have the much better resume and boxing skills, he is also the much bigger fighter here. Having said that, it’s hard to find an area where Ali has the advantage except perhaps in age, height and length.

This is Miguel Cotto’s final bout and he wants to ride into the sunset on a winning note. Ali doesn’t have a good resume and hasn’t proven that he can hang with elite boxers. His biggest fight was against Jessie Vargas and he was outclassed rather easily. Miguel Cotto isn’t just better than Vargas. He punches a lot harder than him.

Cotto’s fighting with diminished skills. He isn’t the feared boxer he was when he was in his prime. Despite that, he is still a much better boxer than Sadam Ali. He’s going to use his power to bully Ali until the latter weakens. Miguel Cotto’s going out in a blaze of glory. We’re picking Miguel Cotto to win by stoppage.

Miguel Cotto vs. Toshirio Kamegai: Will This Be Cotto’s Final Bout?

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Puerto Rican boxing superstar Miguel Cotto is eyeing a sixth world title as he faces Japanese Yoshirio Kamegai for the vacant WBO Super Welterweight title on August 26th, 2017 at the Stubhub Center in Carson, California.

A Real Boxing Fight

August 26th is more popular for being the fight date of the intriguing Mayweather vs .McGregor bout, which will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. But if you’re looking for a real boxing fight on that weekend, this is the fight for you.

Cotto has been one of boxing’s toughest warriors, having faced the best boxers of his generation. But the first four division champion from Puerto Rico has not fought since losing to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in 2015. Cotto has stated that 2017 will be his last as a professional boxer and if he stays true to his word, this may be a swansong bout you might not want to miss.

The Right Dance Partner

Roc Nation couldn’t have picked a better dance partner for Cotto’s aggressive action style. They picked Japanese slugger Yoshihiro Kamegai who has never been in a boring bout. Kamegai is coming off a September of 2016 win over Jesus Soto Karas and has won five of his last eight bouts. His last 7 wins have come by stoppage and he has not lost since 2015.

Despite his brawling style, Kamegai has never been knocked down or knocked out in his career. He’s lost thrice but all were by decision. He has a solid chin and packs a heavy punch. He likes to pressure his opponent by constantly moving forward. Kamegai’s style is perfect for Cotto as we expect these two men to go to war right from the get go.

Prediction

This is a very dangerous fight for Miguel Cotto. He hasn’t been himself in recent years and he has not fought in two years. He is also fighting an opponent who is bigger than him and has a longer reach. You bet Kamegai is going to use his size advantage and try to land big shots to make Cotto think twice.

However, Kamegai has lost in the biggest fights of his career. He’s lost to Johan Perez, Alfonso Gomez and Robert Guerrero. On the other hand, Miguel Cotto has been in the ring with the best of his generation. Even at an advanced age, Cotto can still box with the best in the business. Cotto has a proven chin and a left hook that can end the fight in an instant. Despite going 3-3 in his last 6 bouts, we’re still picking Miguel Cotto over Yoshihiro Kamegai. Cotto by late stoppage here.

Miguel Cotto vs. Lamont Peterson Could Arrive in December

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Former Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto is eyeing a December return and is targeting former 140-pound champion Lamont Peterson as opponent:

Fighting Smaller Foes

Known as boxing’s catch weight king for his knack of fighting smaller foes at a catch weight, Miguel Cotto hasn’t fought since losing to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in their titanic match-up last November 2015. Since January of this year, Cotto has been linked to a bout with Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez but that fight never materialized as the Marquez camp didn’t want to fight beyond 147 and the Cotto corner asking for it to be at 155.

After that, Cotto was criticized for attempting to lure former featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa to a December bout. Gamboa fought highest at 135 pounds and was dismantled by current welterweight champion Terence Crawford in his first and only attempt at a world lightweight title. Now Cotto is eyeing to fight another naturally smaller opponent in Lamont Peterson.

No Bigger Than A Welterweight

Although Peterson was a former world champion at light welterweight, he has fought at welterweight twice. One of those bouts was his controversial majority decision loss to Danny Garcia last year and that bout was even fought at a catchweight of 143 pounds. Prior to his loss to Garcia, Peterson’s only career defeats came at the hands of Lucas Matthysse and Timothy Bradley. The 32-year old Washington DC native is known for his victories over Kendall Holt, Dierry Jean, Edgar Santana and Amir Khan.

Havoc is listed as two inches taller than Cotto but is no bigger than a welterweight. He’s fought majority of his career at 140 and has fought no higher than 144 pounds. For this reported bout to be done, it will likely be fought at a weight no higher than 150 pounds. Cotto’s management team is expected to make an official announcement next week. The fight is being linked to New York which has a large Puerto Rican population and when Cotto has a proven fan base.

No Effect in Rankings

Whether Cotto’s next fight is against Peterson or someone else, it’s going to have no effect in the rankings nor will it have any championship implications. It does appear that Cotto is trying to remain relevant in a sport where new big time players have emerged. Cotto is already 35 years old and has 45 bouts tucked under his belt. It’s unlikely Cotto is targetting another run at the middleweight title given how he lost to Canelo in a middleweight bout fought at 155. Knowing Cotto, he’ll continue to take catch weight but big money fights to prolong his career.