By Michael Baez: On May 5th, 2012 Miguel Cotto (37-2-0 30 KOs) and Floyd Mayweather (42-0-0 26 KOs) will be squaring off for the first time in their illustrious, hall of fame careers. Many boxing “experts” will say this fight is 5 years overdue, and Miguel Cotto is not the same fighter he once was.

I beg to differ; I feel Cotto has grown as a fighter. Cotto is a smarter fighter now than he was before the two losses, utilizing improved head movement and footwork. Cotto poses a serious threat to the undefeated streak of Floyd Mayweather Jr., and by no means is Miguel Cotto a finished fighter.

Most boxing “experts” look at Cottos losses to Antonio Margarito, and Manny Pacquiao as evidence of his demise. However, those two losses are tainted to say the least. Most intelligent boxing fans believe that on July 26th, 2008 Antonio Margarito battered and broke down Miguel Cotto with loaded gloves. Even Emmanuel Steward during HBO’s live telecast of Cotto Margarito II, couldn’t help but to call Margarito out. Can we fault Cotto for taking a knee in a prizefight that now seems more like criminal assault? Moving on, in 2009 Miguel Cotto faced Manny Pacquiao, with Cotto’s WBO welterweight championship on the line. The fight took place at a catch weight of 145 lbs with the champion dropping in weight to meet the challenger. 1 or 2 pounds can make a big difference in a boxers chin and stamina, and after two wars against Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey, Cotto seemed flat-footed and drained during the bout. Manny Pacquiao like any smart fighter took full advantage, scoring a TKO in round 12. Forcing Cotto to drop down in weight was a brilliant move by Team Pacquiao and Bob Arum, who had plenty to gain with Pacquiao’s victory. Cotto showed a visibly weaker chin when he fought at 140 lbs, being dropped and hurt by fighters like Ricardo Torres, and I’m sure Team Pacquiao took notice.

For those who think Mayweather will stop Cotto, well that’s just ridiculous. Cotto’s only two losses came against pressure fighters, and Mayweather is far from a pressure fighter. If Mayweather succeeds in defeating Cotto it will be because of his superb boxing IQ, and unmatched defensive skills. It took Antonio Margarito 11 rounds to force Cotto to a knee, 11 rounds of being assaulted with plaster enhanced hand wraps. Cotto’s chin is hardly questionable.

Some boxing “experts” will also say Cotto is not the aggressive fighter he once was, citing his last three bouts as evidence. I disagree with this assessment; Cotto has fought each fight exactly the way he was supposed to. At 154 lbs Cotto has been fighting bigger men, and in doing so he has adapted more of a boxers mentality. Cotto has fought the smart fight en route to three straight victories all via TKO. The aggression will return on May 5th, as will the stiff jab, vicious body punching, and improved footwork and head movement, when Cotto faces a fighter who is pretty much his same size. Cotto will once again apply the Michael Myers slow walk you down type pressure, only this time he’ll be better at it.

Will Cotto be able to defeat Floyd Mayweather? I don’t know, and neither do all these so-called boxing experts. But Miguel Cotto stands more than a punchers chance, and in my opinion he is Mayweathers toughest test to date. I think both fighters will be prime and ready come May 5th, and I expect to see an amazing fight. May the best man win.