Preview-Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez: Last Chance Saloon?

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This Saturday is in many ways make or break for both Miguel Cotto and Delvin Rodriguez as they square off in an intriguing light-middleweight contest.

32 year old Cotto a 4 time world champion in 3 weight divisions, is a very popular fighter who has built a reputation for being a tough, fearsome competitor. A come forward fighter who looks to build constant pressure on his opponent and a man who has become a Puerto Rican superstar.Cotto has been in with most of the best in the business such as Mayweather, Pacquiao, Margarito, Mosley, Judah, Malignaggi and Trout. With a record of 37 wins and 4 losses Cotto is an elite level fighter who may well be on the slide following back to back losses in his last 2 outings.

Rodriguez aged 33 has had a somewhat less glamorous career and holds a less impressive record of 26 wins 6 losses and 3 draws. Rodriguez will come into this fight in better form than Cotto following successive TKO’s earlier this year. It must however be pointed out that the level of opponent that Rodriguez fought in Hernandez and Tahdooahnippah is with no disrespect intended not the same as Mayweather and Trout.

There is a huge natural advantage going to Rodriguez in this fight. Rodriguez fights at 6ft is a massive 5 inches taller than Cotto. It is not often that a height advantage of such a big scale is seen in the same weight division. Rodriguez is taller and slimmer whereas Cotto is shorter and stockier.

With this natural height advantage you would expect Rodriguez to look to keep the fight at distance and dominate using the jab, if he can successfully do this than the fight is there for him to win. Implementing that tactic against a man like Cotto is much easier said than done though. Cotto is an expert on getting up close and fighting on the inside.

One factor which could also be key is Cotto’s linking up with expert trainer Freddie Roach. Roach is a man who has built up a reputation for himself as being one of the best in the business. He produces attacking, aggressive boxers who look to dominate fights. Cotto is of this mold so the partnership should in theory be a great one.

The change in trainer also shows a real desire to get back to his best from Cotto. Aged 32 with all the success he has had in his career no one could argue with him looking to wind down his career. Cotto has done the complete opposite and changed things up in order to prove that he still belongs at the top of the sport. This bodes well for Cotto.

Rodriguez will come into this fight knowing that it is by far the biggest fight of his career and that a win would really put him up there for a shot at a world title. He will be hungry to win and place his name in boxing history. This could well be Rodriguez’s last big chance in the sport and for that reason I expect to see the best possible Delvin Rodriguez come fight night.

Cotto will also be determined to get a win under his belt and will also be looking to win in impressive fashion to catapult himself back up into elite fights. Personally I would love to see a fight with the recent Floyd Mayweather victim Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to take place.

Alvarez is one of the top fighters in the world and a fight with these 2 hugely popular one would be an attractive opposition for both the fighters and us the fight fans. It would be top action and would be a real fight of the year possibility. Firstly though, Cotto has to come through this fight.

Personally I see Cotto coming through the game Rodriguez via a late ko. I just think that Cotto is on another level to Rodriguez and that the difference in class will be shown on the night. I expect Rodriguez to put up a good performance but to come up short. I just can’t see him handling the pressure and variety if punches from Cotto.

No matter whom the winner is, one thing is certain, that there will be a top night of action. Cotto always puts on a good show and with all his fans it is sure to be a great atmosphere.