September 11 will be a day in which many fight fans will have the opportunity to see two young prospects put their bright futures on the line. Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico will battle Brazilian Kelson Pinto.  Both fighters will enter the ring this Saturday and put their undefeated records on the line for the vacant WBO Light Welterweight Title. 

The two squared off during their amateur careers with Pinto walking away with decisions on both occasions.  Much like the Mosley-Forrest fight, Pinto is claiming that he has Cotto's "number."  Cotto (20-0 with 16KO’s) is favored to win the fight 3-1.  I witnessed Cotto’s pro debut in the beautiful city of Austin Texas.  He demolished Jason Doucet in the first round.  I have been watching him since then. 

The Cotto-Pinto fight will be a can't miss.  While both fighters seem to have youth, extensive amateur careers, and zero losses, there are some major differences in their opposition.  Pinto is 22-0 with 18 KO's, but he has fought lower level competition in comparison to Cotto.  Of the 20 fights that Pinto has won, he has fought ten opponents with less than 5 pro fights, including his last fight to date against Jose Otavio da Silva (2-2-0).  Before the fight with da Silva, he fought, for a second time, against Nelson Santos, a fighter with a 0-4-0 record.  In their fist meeting in '02, Santos was 0-3-0.  Not exactly what you would call veteran opposition. 

Cotto, on the other hand, has faced opponents of higher caliber.  He has fought and beaten, Victoriano Sosa, Cesar Bazan, and most recently, Lovemore N'Dou.  N'Dou, a tough and rugged pressure fighter, lost by decision.  Cotto showed patience and resilience rarely seen in a fighter this early in his pro career.  Cotto's style is well suited for the pro ranks.  Having beaten a fighter of N’Dou’s stature, who is regarded as a legitimate contender and “gatekeeper” to the light welterweight division, Cotto has shown that he is ready to step his game up to another level.  Cotto has displayed that he can take a punch from a solid light  welterweight.  Besides a solid chin, Cotto has power in both hands, causing many to claim that he is going to fill the shoes of his Borinquen counterpart Tito Trinidad.

All of this coupled with his inside work, places him advanced beyond his years.  I see Cotto staying patient throughout the beginning rounds, slowly adapting to  Pinto's style.  Pinto, at 6 feet tall, may give Cotto a little trouble with getting to the inside.  Cotto will stay calm, adapt, work the body, and dominate Pinto.  Working the body and head, Cotto by TKO in the 9th.  Don’t miss it!

- Xavier “El Mago” Cepeda
 

9-10-2004