By Sander Rennurb Aznarrac Sr. Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired from boxing without fighting one of the most challenging probable opponents in WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. It was presumed that either he was afraid to fight Cotto and the others (Mosley, Margarito) or he wanted to call it quits having raked in millions from 2 previous mega-bouts with Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton, enough to sustain a lavish lifestyle. It could be both reasons.
Now enters Manny Pacquiao, a “bloated” lightweight who was once upon a time a flyweight champion – a perfect opponent for Mayweather’s fighting style, Pacquiao being an aggressive fighter, smaller yet bringing the most at the table. We can’t discount the speculation that Mayweather has returned to boxing to have a mega bout with Pacquiao. Juan Manuel Marquez, who had 2 close fights with Pacquiao is the perfect tune-up and comeback fight of Mayweather to have an idea how he will fight against Pacquiao.
The Pacquiao-Cotto fight is an ‘extra’ bonus to Mayweather. If Cotto wins, he could have box office fights with both of them in succession whatever way Pacquiao loses to Cotto. Why would a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight be still appealing in case of a Pacquiao loss to Cotto? Well everybody knows that Pacquiao is an exciting boxer who improves in every fight he makes, win or lose. It may not settle the issue who the greater fighter is but will settle who between them is the better fighter.
An anticipated fight against Pacquiao after Pacquiao wins against Cotto would possibly be the biggest fight since Ali vs Frazier in the Thrilla In Manila. It would be the perfect match-up of a phenomenal aggressive fighter vs. an extraordinary defensive fighter. Both are quick and P4P kings; both are crowd-drawers. It is a fight everybody wants to happen. If it does not happen, boxing is really a business masquerading as a sport. To make it happen, all involve must be satisfied in some degree.
On the other hand, a Cotto-Mayweather fight will not match the magnitude of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight but it will still be a super-bout nonetheless where Mayweather will again reclaim his crown as the P4P king if he wins and cement his legacy as the best. He (Mayweather) might be encouraged then to unify the welterweight divisions and further to pursue additional titles in the higher weights to duplicate Manny Pacquiao’s feat.
A Pacquiao win against Cotto will make Pacquiao (7th division title) greater than Mayweather even if Pacquiao loses to Mayweather later on. But I believe once Pacquiao wins over Cotto, a fight with Mayweather will only happen after Pacquiao makes a try to claim an 8th division title in the super welterweight. I’ll bet on it especially if Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. gets a title. Mayweather will still demand the bigger paycheck as a way of evading a confrontation with Pacquiao. He may change his mind if Pacquiao disposes Cotto in familiar fashion and look for other viable opponents. So, Mayweather is praying for a Cotto win against Pacquiao. A victorious Pacquiao will make him more confident and more improved which may be too much for Mayweather to handle. Pacquiao’s blitzing attack may be too much for his defensive skills. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer may be right when he predicted his ward’s success against Diaz, dela Hoya, and Hatton but I doubt if predicting a 1st round KO against Cotto is possible. Pacquiao’s good showing against spar-mates Shawn Porter and Jose Luis Castillo who are not in the league of Cotto could be his basis. Cotto has the physical edge to deter an early assault from Manny Pacquiao but Pacquiao has the mental edge, motivation, and capacity to take out Cotto (in any round?). Pacquiao will, however, decide what kind of fight will happen in a round per round basis being the more aggressive and quicker fighter. If any of them decides to run, the judges will decide the outcome of the fight.
My prediction is: Cotto by KO inside 7 rounds or, if not, Pacquio by TKO in the 10th round. Let’s find out come Nov. 14.
Comments are closed.