Mayweather is not taking Cotto lightly

By Boxing News - 04/19/2012 - Comments

Image: Mayweather is not taking Cotto lightlyBy Robert “Big Moe” Elmore: The forums have been filling up saying that WBA junior middleweight champ Miguel Cotto is easy work for WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather. Floyd is far from this attitude. First, he’s an undefeated fighter who knows that people want to see him lose. Let me say this.

I am a Floyd Mayweather fan but I understand that his undefeated record is the key to his promotion. If he loses, then his stock falls greatly. That being said he’s far from looking at Cotto as an easy opponent. On top of that, the everyday Floyd haters make him work harder at his craft. Second, the fight is being fought on an even playing field. There is no catch weight, no possibility of plaster on gloves, and there is Olympic style random drug testing going on. Mayweather wants to prove that he can beat a healthy Cotto.

When Miguel Cotto fought Pac Man at welter weight for the WBO crown, it was at a catch weight. What had me scratching my head was Cotto was the champion. Therefore he should have shouldn’t have had to make any concessions. He did and he lost. Their was talk of a rematch, but Pac wanted Cotto to weight drain himself back down to 147 to make the fight happen. Cotto suggested the fight at 150, but Pac stood his ground. Apparently, Cotto learned his lesson from the first fight and choose to stay where he’s most comfortable. This fight won’t be at catch weight. Floyd will probably weigh in around 150 and rehydrate to about 152. Cotto will probably come in around 153 or so and rehydrate between 160-165.

Many believe pressure and bullying Floyd to the ropes is the key to Cotto winning the fight. They like to use the Jose Luis Castillio fight as the blue print. If that’s the blue print, then why is Floyd still undefeated? Jose should have been able to duplicate that same performance and hand Floyd his first defeat. Not only that, other fighters should have been able to duplicate that while adding other elements exploiting Floyd flaws even more. It didn’t happen. Others say a good jab is the way to beat Floyd. They reference the Oscar De La Hoya fight for this. There is a reason the jab is not thrown on a consistent basis and it’s called Floyd Laser Right Hand to the head and the body. One of Floyd’s greatest assets is his ability to adapt and proceed to beat down.

I’m not doubting Cotto’s ability to win this fight. Anything can happen in this sport. But I seriously believe this is hardly easy work. Once Floyd figures out his opponent, it Might began to look easy as Floyd is good at picking his shots without taking damage. He doesn’t get tired and doesn’t waste punches. According to ESPN Floyd is the third most accurate puncher in boxing since compu box came into the picture landing 46% of his punches while his opponents only land 16%.

I will withhold my prediction for this fight. But I know it’s going to be a good fight. And this fight will surpass 1.2 million (an inflated number for the Cotto/Pac fight according to Ben Thompson who says he say the numbers) . I will comment when I get a chance.



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