Mayweather vs Cotto: Why Superfight Will Be Epic Letdown

Saturday's megafight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto has the world of boxing aflutter with excitement, if only because that's the best anyone can do right now.

You can thank Bob Arum, Manny Pacquiao's promoter, and Money Mayweather's big mouth for that.

Sure, it's a matchup between two guys who've dominated their own divisions for more than a decade, and whose contrast in fighting styles—between the speedy, defensive-minded Mayweather and the tough, sharp-boxing Cotto—should be intriguing to analyze every which way but up.

But realistically, this one looks like little more than another opportunity to add a notch to Pretty Boy Floyd's belt of beatdowns and preserve his perfect record against a big-name boxer creeping past his prime.

To be fair, the 31-year-old Junito is the youngster in this bout and would be undefeated as well if not for Antonio Margarito's loaded wraps and Manny Pacquiao's raging fists of fury.

In other words, Cotto's no slouch, but just because he's not a tomato can doesn't mean Mayweather won't make him look like one. That's just what Money May does. He's not the biggest or strongest fighter, but that doesn't really matter.

It doesn't matter when you're as quick as Mayweather is, have his ability to land precise punches and move out of the way while his opponent is still winding up.

It doesn't matter when you're as smart and savvy a defensive maestro as Mayweather is.

Cotto, on the other hand, is big and strong, with a left hook that packs quite a punch.

That left hook, though, may also leave Cotto open to attack from Mayweather's speedy right hand, even more so if Cotto misses errantly as he's been prone to do in the past.

If Cotto tries to come forward on Mayweather, he'll likely be met with devastating uppercuts. If Cotto uses his legs, he'll open himself up to jabs from Mayweather, on account of his tendency to drop his left hand when he's moving.

The only way Junito can beat Mayweather is if he outsmarts and out-tricks one of the smartest and trickiest fighters of all time. He'll either have to lure Mayweather into springing into defense early or pray that a few of his big punches actually land.

Which is to say, Junito is screwed. He may not get knocked out, but Floyd figures to dominate in punches landed and, by extension, on the judges' scorecards.

The result? A win for Mayweather in what is shaping up to be a largely uneventful bout, one that puts the "bust" in "blockbuster." 


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Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1171177-mayweather-vs-cotto-why-superfight-will-be-epic-letdown

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