By Dallan O’Donnell: On Saturday night in Las Vegas we witnessed two of the best fighters in the world go toe to toe in a sure fire contender for fight of the year. Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather put everything on the line against the then super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.
The results astounded us all. I for one didn’t expect Mayweather to trade with Cotto. He didn’t run and on every occasion fought toe to toe with the bigger man. Mayweather, despite being the smaller man weight wise dominated almost every tight up close exchange but took some punishment in the process from the tough Puerto Rican warrior. Mayweather was bleeding during the fight and too some huge shots but shook them off and came back with his own to eventually manage to make Cotto’s eyes swell up. But Mayweather’s left eye also swelled. When have we ever seen Mayweather look so puffy in a post- fight conference?
Cotto, in my opinion had the right game plan, but lacked the skill, lateral movement and speed to carry it through and gain the victory. Instead of doing what Oscar De La Hoya did and constantly attack throwing a barrage of punches which Mayweather slipped all night long, Cotto used his head and stopped for a few seconds and then wen at Mayweather again and this is why he had so much luck whilst Mayweather was up against the ropes. Unfortunately Cotto couldn’t manage to land that one killer blow. But I know a fighter that can.
If Mayweather wants to fight toe to toe for his last few fights then please Floyd fight Manny Pacquiao! Although Mayweather looked great against Cotto, probably his best ever performance in a fight, I now believe after seeing Floyd on Saturday that Pacquiao would win a toe to toe battle. If the fight ever does happen (As unlikely as it is) then Pacquiao has more to offer than Cotto and would hurt Mayweather far more than Cotto did. Mayweather would have no speed advantage as Manny is just as quick. He would be in there with a fighter who could actually beat him.
The fight simply has to happen. Take a leaf out of the book of Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns. They fought each other for their generation to see the two best back then battle it out. It’s only fair Mayweather and Pacquiao do the same. Forget the issues with money or Bob Arum. Both men need to step up to the plate and give the fans the biggest fight in boxing history. Follow me on Twitter @dallan09
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