Which fight would be bigger: Mayweather vs. Pacquiao or Cotto vs. Canelo?

By Boxing News - 12/11/2014 - Comments

cotto552By Christopher Young: Which fight would be bigger – Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Manny Pacquiao or Miguel Cotto vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez? If these two fights were on two separate networks scheduled for May 2nd and you could only choose one to buy, which fight would it be?

Both of these fights have a special nationwide interests for hardcore and casual boxing fans. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight is a fight long overdue. It lost a lot of its luster, but it is still one of the biggest fights out there.

It appears now that 2105 will probably be the last chance for this fight to happen and everybody who is anybody influential in the boxing game is trying to make this fight happen. Larry Merchant did an interview earlier this week, and he stated this fight sort of reminds him of Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson as far as the drama and the “economic sense” of the buildup of the fight.

In addition, just like the Lewis/Tyson fight this fight is 5 years late, and the fight itself was one-sided fight. At that time this was the highest grossing boxing event in pay per view history. (Currently Mayweather/Alvarez holds that esteem honor). Lewis/Tyson generated $106.9 million from 1.95 million pay-per-view buys in the U.S. I believe Mayweather/Pacquiao fight will follow the same suit but a more competitive. Their style of fighting both cancel each other out. Each other’s style will give the other significant problems.

Pacquiao’s Achilles heel is a fighter with speed, good footwork, and great counter puncher. Mayweather in the past has had problems and was hurt by fighters who fighting stance were southpaw with great hand speed and footwork (Demarcus Corley and Zab Judah). They are not the same caliber fighter as Pacquiao, but they were able to hurt him.

Plus his shoulder roll also known as the Philly shell defense does not work effectively because punches from a southpaw comes from different angles. That’s what makes this fight so intriguing. When and if this fight take place, it has the potential to shatter all sporting event records.

Now Cotto vs. Canelo fight would fill any arena in North America. From Madison Square Garden in New York to the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas to the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City. You have young strong lion who is almost in his prime and dangerous vs a well-seasoned veteran who seems to have find a new life and motivation under the tutelage of Freddy Roach. The popularity of these two quality fighters will make this a memorable event. Not only that you have that historical rivalry between Mexico/ Puerto Rico. You have classic fights like Salvador Sanchez vs Wilfredo Gomez, Antonio Avelar vs. Wilfredo Vazquez Sr., Felix Trinidad vs. Yory Boy Campas. Juan Manuel Lopez vs Orlando Salido, Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito and many others. Stylistically this fight is good match-up with both combatants wearing and displaying their country’s pride. Both Cotto and Canelo are great boxers that uses intelligent aggression. I believe this fight could truly be up one of the classics of one of the greatest rivalries of all time.

Both fights are truly pick ‘em fights. The question here is whether or not who is going to win or lose but which fight would be bigger? If both fight were made, which fight would you choose to watch on May 2nd?



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