Cotto vs. Trout Fight Prediction

This weekend, on December 1st, Miguel Cotto makes his return to the ring against unbeaten, and relatively unknown, Austin Trout. Both fighters are coming off career best performances, although Cotto was on the losing end, I think he performed very well against Mayweather, maybe not career best but considering Mayweather is one of the best fighters, pound for pound, in the world. Trout is coming off a good win against Delvin Rodriguez, hardly the same level as Cotto. The difficulty in calling this fight should be rather clear, Cotto performed well in his last fight against Mayweather, but is considered well passed his prime. Trout is relatively unproven, but a natural 154lb fighter, and a young up and coming one at that.

What should happen:
Cotto should be his usual self. I don't think Cotto is that far passed his prime, as evidenced by his last fight against one of the best fighters in the world. Trout should put up a pretty good fight, at first, but Cotto will, as usual, impose his will and eventually take complete control of the fight. Cotto is a wise pressure fighter and he will probably try and rough up the younger and less experienced Trout and take him out of his game plan. I think Trout will largely be on the defensive because of Cotto's pressure and body work. If Cotto does stop Trout it will most likely be in the later rounds after Cotto has ground him down, but most likely Cotto will win a hard fought but decisive decision.

What could happen:
Well, Cotto could get old, and Trout could be better than we think he is and shock us. I do not think it is very likely that Trout stops Cotto at all, especially in the early rounds. But he could show up and be a far superior boxer, maybe even stronger than Cotto, and completely outclass Cotto. This would be very good for Trout, to win decisively, or to beat Cotto up. Mayweather seemed to struggle with Cotto at times, which was a surprise to me, so if Trout can show up and pound the hell out of Cotto, or beat him even more clearly than Mayweather, his stock will shoot through the roof, and so will his confidence.

What could also happen is that Trout is way in over his head and not nearly as sturdy as we think he should be and Cotto utterly demolishes him. Cotto is not known for one punch knockouts, but he punches hard enough to hurt and if Trout does not have a good chin, Cotto could exploit that and walk over Trout.

What do I think will happen?
I think it will be a good fight between two good fighters, one exiting his prime and one entering it. I think Cotto will be Cotto, come forward and beat up Trout and get the decision.