By Jason Kim: WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto has been dismissed by a lot of boxing fans going into his fight tonight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Both boxing fans and the bettors are overlooking Cotto, seeing Mayweather as the clear favorite to win.
However, this could play into Cotto’s hands because he has no pressure on him because no one believes he can win. Being counted out has obviously put a chip on Cotto’s shoulder, making him want to prove himself to boxing fans by fighting his heart out.
The 35-year-old Mayweather can’t afford to face a motivated power puncher like Cotto with nothing to lose and everything to gain. The fight is being held at the full weight for the 154 pound junior middleweight class. Advantage goes to Cotto.
Mayweather looked a little soft around the midsection during the weight. Advantage goes to Cotto. Mayweather has never been in with a boxer/puncher like Cotto. Advantage to Cotto. Mayweather has seemingly lost his ability move around the ring like he used. In contrast, Cotto is moving more than ever did. Advantage goes to Cotto.
Cotto will be lethal during the first six to eight rounds tonight, and that may be more than enough to score a knockout or build an insurmountable lead. Mayweather doesn’t have huge power. He knocked out Victor Ortiz in his last fight, but that was only because Ortiz foolishly dropped his guard to apologize to Mayweather. I think it’s safe to say that Cotto won’t make the same mistake by wasting time and taking chances apologizing to Mayweather if he accidentally fouls him. Mayweather can expect a stone faced Cotto if he happens to hit Maywether low or head-butt him.
If Cotto land his power shots in the first half tonight, I think he’ll have an excellent chance of winning because Mayweather hasn’t been hit by anyone with the kind of power that Cotto has. We could see Mayweather get old time.
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