Williams vs. Cotto = Cotto Blowout

[Lampley]

I was away on work and just now watched this weekend's fights. While I was very impressed by Paul Williams, I think a match against Cotto is a stylistic nightmare for him.

As has been stated, Williams doesn't fight tall, has a leaky defense and carries an elongated midsection that is made to order for Miguel. He'd gain a little in that all of his punches would be chopping, thus giving him at least a little additional defense against shots to the body.

But Miguel hits so hard that Paul will be put on the defensive early, and after tasting some body shots, Miguel comes upstairs with a short hook that Paul doesn't see -- and his chin is just hanging there inviting to be hit flush -- and Williams either gets KOd on the spot or the fight changes at that point and he gets broken down over the next few rounds.

I like Williams, but I don't see this going past 9. Cotto is an altogether superior fighter to the tough-but-slow Margo, and the result would be vastly different.

For the record, I scored the bout 8-4 in favor of Williams.

[Relentless]

you're right cotto beats him easy, people think williams' speed will give cotto problems but then again look at what cotto did to judah and malignaggi who are probably fast as if not faster than williams.

[1lehudson]

you're right cotto beats him easy, people think williams' speed will give cotto problems but then again look at what cotto did to judah and malignaggi who are probably fast as if not faster than williams.Not his speed but his reach. Williams is too long for Cotto. I think that a fight with Cotto would look very much like the one with Margo over the first six rounds. I just dont think that Cotto is as strong as Margo in terms of taking shots. I think that it will be Williams that beat on Cotto and stop him in the mid to late rounds somewere around 8, 9, 10.

[Lampley]

Having written that first post, and at the risk of hijacking my own thread, I do believe that Paul actually could give Floyd a lot of trouble. I've always beleived this, because there is a very real possibility that Floyd gets outworked and drops a decision.

Williams isn't the kind of guy who gets discouraged by potshotting or by large numbers of misses, and the reach on his jab would keep Floyd on the defensive. If Paul will keep range, Floyd's shoulder roll-countering will be mostly ineffective, because Floyd won't be able to get to Williams. And the simple difference in punches thrown would enable Paul to get rounds, even if Floyd landed cleaner shots at a higher percentage.

If the fight were to take place at 154, I'd actually favor Williams over PbF.

[Lampley]

I just dont think that Cotto is as strong as Margo in terms of taking shots.

I think everyone would have to acknowledge this point. My counterargument is that Cotto does recover quickly, and as soon as Paul's legs go just a little, he's going to get beaten soundly.

But if the fight were to happen, go Paul!

[Martini643]

Cotto KO 3

it took margarito 9 rounds to figure a way to get inside and land the right hand and once he did he opened a cut over his eye and started to fuck him up. cotto would tear williams a new asshole

[TheGreat]

you're right cotto beats him easy, people think williams' speed will give cotto problems but then again look at what cotto did to judah and malignaggi who are probably fast as if not faster than williams.

Cotto was also bigger and stronger then both Judah and Malinaggi PW is alot bigger and stronger than all 3. Pickem fight IMO.

[TheGreat]

I think everyone would have to acknowledge this point. My counterargument is that Cotto does recover quickly, and as soon as Paul's legs go just a little, he's going to get beaten soundly.

But if the fight were to happen, go Paul!

Both guys are easy to hit so anyone could win but If PW does hurt Cotto I think he would close the show.

[startown81]

Having written that first post, and at the risk of hijacking my own thread, I do believe that Paul actually could give Floyd a lot of trouble. I've always beleived this, because there is a very real possibility that Floyd gets outworked and drops a decision.

Williams isn't the kind of guy who gets discouraged by potshotting or by large numbers of misses, and the reach on his jab would keep Floyd on the defensive. If Paul will keep range, Floyd's shoulder roll-countering will be mostly ineffective, because Floyd won't be able to get to Williams. And the simple difference in punches thrown would enable Paul to get rounds, even if Floyd landed cleaner shots at a higher percentage.

If the fight were to take place at 154, I'd actually favor Williams over PbF.
I think Williams will be to quick and long for Cotto. Cotto will not be able to reach Williams and if he does get close enough williams will use his uppercut on the inside just like he did against margarito. Remember margarito is alot taller then Cotto and it was very hard for him to reach Willaims! Cotto will neglect defence even more then usuall agaisnt Williams. Williams TKO round 7!

[1lehudson]

Having written that first post, and at the risk of hijacking my own thread, I do believe that Paul actually could give Floyd a lot of trouble. I've always beleived this, because there is a very real possibility that Floyd gets outworked and drops a decision.

Williams isn't the kind of guy who gets discouraged by potshotting or by large numbers of misses, and the reach on his jab would keep Floyd on the defensive. If Paul will keep range, Floyd's shoulder roll-countering will be mostly ineffective, because Floyd won't be able to get to Williams. And the simple difference in punches thrown would enable Paul to get rounds, even if Floyd landed cleaner shots at a higher percentage.

If the fight were to take place at 154, I'd actually favor Williams over PbF.Paul dont seem to be discouraged by any shots potshots of heavy shots he just keeps throwing. My problem with a fight vs Floyd is Williams missed alot of shots vs Tony, I think that he would only land about half as many as he did vs floyd. Now I will agree that if Williams used his jab he would cuz Floyd fits, and of all the Welterweight I think that he has the best shot. while except shane, of beatting Floyd. But for those very same reason I think he would indeed beat Cotto. Cotto isnt a hard guy to hit, and Im not all that sure strong his shots are vs true welterweights. being that he is yet to fight a true welterweight, all the guys he has fought are jr welters.

[sdsfinest22]

COTTO IS 5 FEET 7 NCHES TALL...TO GET TO THAT BODY HE HAS TO EAT SOME LONG PUNCHES FIRST...COTTO WINS BUT I WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF WILLIAMS WON
I was away on work and just now watched this weekend's fights. While I was very impressed by Paul Williams, I think a match against Cotto is a stylistic nightmare for him.

As has been stated, Williams doesn't fight tall, has a leaky defense and carries an elongated midsection that is made to order for Miguel. He'd gain a little in that all of his punches would be chopping, thus giving him at least a little additional defense against shots to the body.

But Miguel hits so hard that Paul will be put on the defensive early, and after tasting some body shots, Miguel comes upstairs with a short hook that Paul doesn't see -- and his chin is just hanging there inviting to be hit flush -- and Williams either gets KOd on the spot or the fight changes at that point and he gets broken down over the next few rounds.

I like Williams, but I don't see this going past 9. Cotto is an altogether superior fighter to the tough-but-slow Margo, and the result would be vastly different.

For the record, I scored the bout 8-4 in favor of Williams.

[Lampley]

I like some of you guys' responses, but Williams is just too content to sit on the inside and trade. If he fought tall I'd feel differently, but if he fights Cotto at close range and they both land shots, I think Cotto will wreck Williams.

But you're correct that Cotto would have to take some punishment to do it, and he has been hurt in the past.

[Amsterdam]

I said this the night of the fight and Williams fans and fans who were impressed by Williams jumped all over me. This is an easy fight for Cotto in my opinion, not even much of a challenge.

Lampley, you've shown a lot of boxing knowledge, so I am glad you see it similiar to me.

[Slaughter27]

Anyone who fights Williams at 147 will be in for one long tough fight. Nobody will have an easy time with him at that weight.

[sues2nd]

I think Cotto has huge problems with Paul.

Think about it. Cotto is a come forward fighter who is only his most effective on the inside. Do you have ANY idea how hard that is going to be for him to do against Williams?

Williams high level of activity and sheer length kept Margarito, who has shown to have a much better chin than Cotto on the outside for the entire first half of their fight....how do you propose Cotto gets inside on Williams then?

Plus, Williams may not have 1 punch KO power....but he does have some pop. Cotto has been hurt by lesser punchers.

This is a TERRIBLE MATCHUP FOR HIM!!!

[Alo2006]

I think everyone would have to acknowledge this point. My counterargument is that Cotto does recover quickly, and as soon as Paul's legs go just a little, he's going to get beaten soundly.

But if the fight were to happen, go Paul!

Negative, Margo has a stronger chin then Cotto

[Lampley]

Negative, Margo has a stronger chin then Cotto

I agree. I'm not sure how we disagree. My point was that Cotto has been hurt severely yet has recovered fairly quickly to resume beating on his opponent. He certainly does not possess Margo's beard, though.

[Lampley]

I think Cotto has huge problems with Paul.

Think about it. Cotto is a come forward fighter who is only his most effective on the inside. Do you have ANY idea how hard that is going to be for him to do against Williams?

Williams high level of activity and sheer length kept Margarito, who has shown to have a much better chin than Cotto on the outside for the entire first half of their fight....how do you propose Cotto gets inside on Williams then?

Plus, Williams may not have 1 punch KO power....but he does have some pop. Cotto has been hurt by lesser punchers.

This is a TERRIBLE MATCHUP FOR HIM!!!

See, I think Williams will come inside for Cotto. He can try to stay at range for a while, but Cotto is faster than Margarito and will put leather on Paul -- with more pop -- earlier in the fight. And once Williams starts to tire a little and stand in the pocket, Cotto will whack him out of there.

Paul's chance is to hurt Cotto early, because as the fight wears on, Miguel works him low and then catches him with a huge hook upstairs. I think Paul has a much better shot at beating Floyd than he does Cotto.

[startown81]

Absolutley right! Its not even the 5 inches in height. Its the long reach! He has the second longest reach in all of boxing next to Valuev! Also he is lightning fast. No way Cotto touches him. The rare occasion Cotto does get in he will have to let his guard down and get beat upwith uppercuts and right hooks. Remember the mitchell fight? Of coarce Cotto is alot better then Mitchell but not in the area of defence.

[Lampley]

Absolutley right! Its not even the 5 inches in height. Its the long reach! He has the second longest reach in all of boxing next to Valuev! Also he is lightning fast. No way Cotto touches him. The rare occasion Cotto does get in he will have to let his guard down and get beat upwith uppercuts and right hooks. Remember the mitchell fight? Of coarce Cotto is alot better then Mitchell but not in the area of defence.

I don't think Williams is lightning fast. Margarito being very slow made him look quicker than he is.

And in that Mitchell fight, puffed up, declined Sharmba unleashed a desperate three-punch combo that caught Williams flush and stunned him momentarily. Cotto does that, and Paul is checking out HBO's ring lighting arrangement.

[Alo2006]

If Cotto can say close and beat Williams body, he could win tko. Now if Williams can keep in at a distance, it's lights out for Cotto.

[Alo2006]

I agree. I'm not sure how we disagree. My point was that Cotto has been hurt severely yet has recovered fairly quickly to resume beating on his opponent. He certainly does not possess Margo's beard, though.

I agree, he has the best recovery in boxing today in my opinion.

[sues2nd]

See, I think Williams will come inside for Cotto. He can try to stay at range for a while, but Cotto is faster than Margarito and will put leather on Paul -- with more pop -- earlier in the fight. And once Williams starts to tire a little and stand in the pocket, Cotto will whack him out of there.

Paul's chance is to hurt Cotto early, because as the fight wears on, Miguel works him low and then catches him with a huge hook upstairs. I think Paul has a much better shot at beating Floyd than he does Cotto.

I just dont see Williams trying to take the fight inside. That would be the wrong move for him.

He has a good trainer, who had him extremely well prepared for Margarito as far as a gameplan goes (and Williams followed his direction fantastically...I always love seeing a fighter actually listen to his corner, doesnt happen that often anymore). Do you really think that their gameplan will be to take the fight in close and play into Cotto's hands?

Fact is, for Cotto to get inside and lay those HUGE body shots on Paul, he will have to walk through alot of punishment...just the way Margarito had to...only Cotto doesnt have Margo's chin, so....

Listen I like Cotto, but his style of fighter (come forward, try to give more punishment than you take) and his weaknesses (chin and limited outside offensive repitoure <---spelling? :huh ) play directly into Williams strengths (Reach, length, output, power).

Some fighters just dont match up well with others.

[startown81]

I don't think Williams is lightning fast. Margarito being very slow made him look quicker than he is.

And in that Mitchell fight, puffed up, declined Sharmba unleashed a desperate three-punch combo that caught Williams flush and stunned him momentarily. Cotto does that, and Paul is checking out HBO's ring lighting arrangement.
Good point. He may have looked alot faster then he really is but i think Cotto will have to get hit way to many times to deliver that kind of combo. And when Cotto does deliver that kind of combo i do not think it will be enough to take out williams because Cotto knocks out his opponents with an accumulation of punishment. Keep in mind such a tall fast guy with that kind of reach throwing 100 punches a round that knows how to fight inside is a nightmare for a guy like cotto. Cotto will have to take to much to give.