What I saw:

I taped both the Lacy-Calzaghe fight and Cotto-Branco fights last week and had some interesting thoughts. First, I did write it was possible that Calzaghe could beat Lacy. I thought it was unlikely because I was blinded by how much fun it was to watch Lacy destroy his opposition. Second, as I was watching Lacy get completely manhandled, I wondered if it was ok to cry.(I didn't, but I thought about it.) When I was done watching the Lacy-Calzaghe fight I turned on the Cotto-Branco fight. During this fight something occurred to me, Cotto can be beat by Paulie Malignaggi. The strange part of this thought is that if it were not for the Lacy-Calzaghe fight I probably never would have thought this. Branco would lean on the ropes and get walled on. Cotto was able to set up his punches and plant his feet. When Branco would move around the ring and use his jab Cotto didn't have much to do. Joe Calzaghe used the ring, moved to the left and potshoted Jeff Lacy all night long. He used his hand speed, footwork, and ring generalship to outsmart and outwork the young hard punching fighter. These are the exact things that I thing Paulie Malignaggi can and will do against Miquel Cotto. Paulie is in great shape and has excellent footwork and handspeed. The "Magic Man" does lack power but as long as he doesn't stop moving it shouldn't matter. So that's what I saw last week, a reason why Paulie Malignaggi may be able to tarnish Cotto's record. That and a one sided beating of my favorite fighter.