"The Weekend OT" is something I'm going to try to start doing on slow MMA weekends to let our loyal readers roam a bit free. It'll be a fun spot I'll mostly feature in the Fanposts unless it directly concerns MMA. Hope you guys enjoy.
This weekend may not have a big UFC or Boxing PPV, but it certainly doesn't lack in Fight Sport. Miguel Cotto (32-2, 27 KO) challenges Yuri Foreman (28-0, 8 KO) tonight in New York City on HBO. It's Cotto's first foray into the 154 lb. weight class and the former welterweight title-holder faces the much taller Yuri Foreman, who holds the WBA Junior Middleweight belt. A couple of interesting story-lines are at play, with Cotto looking to come back from the beatdown Manny Pacquiao laid on him last year as well as the line drawn in the Brooklyn sand as the only big name Orthodox Jew and the only big name Puerto Rican square off. If the fight lacks anything, it certainly won't be a hot crowd in the (2nd) House that Ruth Built.
Here's a little preview from Scott Christ over at SBN boxing affiliate Bad Left Hook:
As a Miguel Cotto fan who just wants to see the best Cotto, I hope Manny Steward has him ready to eat jabs on his way in to attack the body. That's the only way Miguel Cotto can overcome the size difference, the fact that he's no longer the fighter he used to be (though Cotto is, I believe, still a hell of a good fighter), and what may be some self-doubt.
And I don't think I can see Yuri Foreman holding up well under a grueling close quarters attack from Cotto, either. Foreman is a nice story and a nice guy, but he is in no way a special talent. He's very sound and doesn't make mistakes, but he's got little pop and lives and dies on being able to outbox the other man. He can outbox Cotto if Cotto isn't sharp, too.
If Yuri Foreman wins this fight, it'll probably be clear, widely scored, and dull. If Miguel Cotto wins this fight, it will be because he brings a major storm onto Foreman that Foreman cannot handle. It might just be that I really believe that Cotto is still a very good fighter, and it could just be that I want that to be the case. But I'm expecting a re-focused, re-energized Miguel Cotto on Saturday night to bang out a decision win and get some of his mojo back. If it goes the way I expect, I also will say I don't think Yuri Foreman will ever reach these heights again. Cotto UD-12
A couple of interesting story-lines are at play, with Cotto looking to come back from the beatdown Manny Pacquiao laid on him last year as well as the line drawn in the Brooklyn sand as the only big name Orthodox Jew and the only big name Puerto Rican square off. If the fight lacks anything, it certainly won't be a hot crowd in the (2nd) House that Ruth Built. The fight takes place at Yankee Stadium, which, in addition to recent fights at Cowboy Stadium (Cotto/Pacquiao) and Yas Island (UFC 112), marks the third major fighting event this year that has taken place at an exciting and unique venue. Dana White hopes to bring the UFC to Fenway Park, as well.
So my question to you guys is: Where else would you like to see an MMA event or top boxing card take place? I bet an Ultimate Fight Night at the Hammerstein in New York would be raucous fun, or how about something like the old school WCW Bash at the Beach? If Wrestlemania can fill up that big football stadium in Phoenix in 2010, you can't tell me Anderson Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre wouldn't be great at the LA Colosseum.
Make sure to check out BLH for your pugilism fix and if any of you want to come back here tonight and comment on the fight, all are welcome. I'll try to make an appearance whilst managing my drunken father (a Puerto Rican and former amateur boxer himself) and keeping him out of the hospital should Cotto lose. See you then (if I'm not driving like a madman to Athens Regional Medical Center).
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