By John F. McKenna (McJack): In the lead up to the May 5 fight between former WBA light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (37-3, 30 KO’s) and new WBA light middleweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KO’s there was a crescendo of commentary claiming that Miguel was was weight drained when he fought WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s) in November 2009.

Whenever there is a huge fight coming down the pike there are claims coming out of both camps and from the media, most of which are designed to hype the upcoming fight. The Cotto – Mayweather fight was no exception. Let’s take just a moment to look at the facts.

Just prior to his match against Pacquiao, Miguel stated in an HBO 24/7 segment that he would not be weakened by coming into the ring against Manny at a catch weight of 145 pounds. And let’s be real, Cotto fought at the welterweight limit of 140 – 147 pounds when he faced Pacquiao. In his most recent match prior to taking on “Pacman”, Cotto entered the ring at 146 pounds against Joshua Clottey.

The cold hard truth is that Cotto lost to Pacquiao not because he was weight drained, but because Manny is faster, hits harder and is a better ring tactician than Miguel is. That is not what Miguel’s fans want to hear, nor is it what Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants to hear, but the truth is often an inconvenience. It makes us look at things the way they really are and not the way we went them to be.

“Pretty Boy” wanted to promote his fight with Miguel as if it were two undefeated fighters going at each other. Cotto did not really lose his fight against Margarito because Antonio’s gloves it was alleged were loaded. And Miguel, according to Floyd did not really lose to Pacquiao because he was “weight drained”.

If anyone is foolish enough to think that Cotto lost to Pacquiao because he was weight drained, do some research. Then go back and watch the fight again.

The reality is that anyone can convince themselves of anything they want to. Floyd has convinced himself that because he is 43 and “0” he is the greatest fighter of all time. Greater than Dempsey, Louis, Ali and “Sugar” Ray Robinson.