Here, in my estimation, lies a very curious (if not exactly enthralling) battle of former 147lb. titleists from the nose & tail end of this decade. Miguel Cotto is 30-0-0, aged twenty-eight, & is fresh from his narrow outpointing of what is thought to be (& what I still believe probably is) a winding-down Mosley. Tough, short, savage bodypuncher, with the ability to fight going backwards as well.

His opponent is the vintage model of Vernon Forrest from his halcyon days of 2002 --- 34-0-0, returning to the ring for the first time since his second success against a fresher Mosley. Tall, rangy fellow with a long, powerful left jab & his fair share of ring intelligence. He's thirty-one.

Forrest. Cotto. Twelve rounds at 147lbs. As you like, fellas...

Vernon Forrest.

Vernon Forrest by KO.

Forrest threw just as many punches as Cotto, and could operate from a longer range. His long, hard,quick jab would chew Miguel up, while he looks for the big right hand over the top, or a well-timed uppercut that hurt his man.

That straight right counter to a jab on a shorter opponent who comes in in a measured way would be there too.

No one would ever call Forrest a great defender, but he was a very hard guy to land on in his prime. Mayorga's awkward delivery and ferocity allowed him to be one of the only guys around who managed to sneak something in once in awhile.


I think this style and physical match-up heavily favours Vernon Forrest.

Forrest just isn't active enough and isn't a very good inside fighter. I'm sure at some point Vernon would hurt Miguel, but he isn't much of a finisher. 8-4 Cotto

Isn't active enough? There's no gap in activity.

Vernon finishes Cotto in the late rounds. Cotto has his moments early on and may even win a majority of the rounds but Forrest in his prime mixed up his punches very well. Vernon by TKO10.

Vernon Forest maybe by stoppage but at least by decision. Those long righthands would find a home enough. Cotto has some defensive problems especially after he gets tagged with one. He tends to freeze and find the ropes. At 5-8 I dont think that is a good idea with somebody like Vernon.

Forrest would have an easier time hitting Miguel than the reverse.

This might be a poor man's Hearns-Duran with a similar result.

Disagree

Well, if there was any anytime in Forrest's career that he would get beaten by Cotto, it would be right after he defeated Mosley. Forrest came in dancing, rapping, celebrating his victories over shane. Probably overlooking Mayorga who at welter hit like a mule. If Cotto could get to Forrest's body and lure him into a brawl like Mayorga did, I give Cotto the nod on this one. Sly Fox, i disagree with Cotto being able to fight going backwards. He appears like he is able to fight backwards but he has to stop, set himself and then fire. He can't seem to be able to punch while moving backwards. i think if he tries to Box with Forrest, he gets humiliated.

cotto would fold forrest with body shots...

Going with Vernon here. I think Mayorga had more 1-punch pop than Cotto and that is what he needed to surprise and stop Vernon. Cotto is much more methodical and that doesn't usually play well against boxers who can punch.

Cotto would win the jab contest though.

Forrest from the Mosely fights. Dominates and stops cotto. Cotto is not as good as Shane was at the time and Forrest handled Shane pretty easily. Also, this is a terrible style match up for Cotto.

Vernon, unless the ref doesn't allow him to hit and hold until Cotto can take no more.

I gotta be honest...

I know I'm getting a rep as a Cotto hater (IMO that comes from accepting top welters like Marg and Clottey could or would beat him) but this is just one of the most horrible style match-ups possible for Cotto.

He's not an all out attacker, nor is he a boxer... vs good opposition.

Vernon wins by a close decision. He manages to hurt Cotto several times early and outboxes a tired Cotto down the strecht.