- Joined
- Mar 16, 2014
- Messages
- 4,444
- Reaction score
- 2,341
New article, figured I'd do something good that I'm sure will send ARIZE into a deep depression. I figured it'd be a fun one for @Sano, @Sinister and @j123 at the very least. The article was mainly an excuse to breakdown how Cotto fights, but also how it's applicable to any other striking sport. The website is Muay Thai Guy so I link it mostly to MT, but it fits kickboxing and MMA too.
The article covers:
The basics of Cotto's game
Cotto's specific punch selection
How Cotto denys the clinch
Here's an excerpt:
________________
Miguel Ángel Cotto is a boxer’s boxer. He wins fights with an old-school approach, operating in grey areas that are typically forgotten by most modern boxers. First, let’s have a look at the basics of Miguel Cotto’s style that seem tailor-made for Muay Thai.
First is Cotto’s high guard. If you’ve been in the gym long enough, you’ve probably heard someone tell you to keep your hands up. While it’s true that having your hands up aids your defense, the main reason you want your hands by your head is to maximize your offence. While low hands can come from interesting blind angles, having your hands low in Muay Thai can lead to your arms getting kicked and deadened. Adopting Miguel’s high guard will keep your arms safe.
Cotto nails Margarito with several jabs, all out of his high guard.
The second is his use of head movement. Head movement in Muay Thai is commonly misunderstood. It’s often said that head movement in Muay Thai will cause you to duck into knee strikes. This is certainly a possibility, but there is no knee strike in the world that can hit you as quickly as an uppercut from the same angle. Head movement is still a valuable skill in Muay Thai and most of the top Thais from Saenchai to Sangmanee use it.
Miguel Cotto rarely bends at the waist when evading punches, and tends to keep his head movement relegated to subtle slip straight punches, and saving small weaves or when he anticipates a hook.
The final basic trait of Cotto is that he tends to stand half-crouched, bringing his center of gravity lower to the ground and allowing him to sit down on his punches far easier than if he were standing straight-legged.
________________
Full Article Available here
The article covers:
The basics of Cotto's game
Cotto's specific punch selection
How Cotto denys the clinch
Here's an excerpt:
________________
Miguel Ángel Cotto is a boxer’s boxer. He wins fights with an old-school approach, operating in grey areas that are typically forgotten by most modern boxers. First, let’s have a look at the basics of Miguel Cotto’s style that seem tailor-made for Muay Thai.
First is Cotto’s high guard. If you’ve been in the gym long enough, you’ve probably heard someone tell you to keep your hands up. While it’s true that having your hands up aids your defense, the main reason you want your hands by your head is to maximize your offence. While low hands can come from interesting blind angles, having your hands low in Muay Thai can lead to your arms getting kicked and deadened. Adopting Miguel’s high guard will keep your arms safe.
Cotto nails Margarito with several jabs, all out of his high guard.
The second is his use of head movement. Head movement in Muay Thai is commonly misunderstood. It’s often said that head movement in Muay Thai will cause you to duck into knee strikes. This is certainly a possibility, but there is no knee strike in the world that can hit you as quickly as an uppercut from the same angle. Head movement is still a valuable skill in Muay Thai and most of the top Thais from Saenchai to Sangmanee use it.
Miguel Cotto rarely bends at the waist when evading punches, and tends to keep his head movement relegated to subtle slip straight punches, and saving small weaves or when he anticipates a hook.
The final basic trait of Cotto is that he tends to stand half-crouched, bringing his center of gravity lower to the ground and allowing him to sit down on his punches far easier than if he were standing straight-legged.
________________
Full Article Available here