Saturday night will see the slickness of Floyd Mayweather Jr come up against the aggressive style of Miguel Cotto, but the key attribute will be endurance.
The build-up to May 5 has been subdued -a rarity under Mayweather – with respect over ruling trash talk.
Cotto has said he will do his talking in the ring as he prepares to beat the unbeatable.
Meanwhile, Mayweather believes the scalp of the WBA super champ will be a momentous one, in his bid to join the hall of fame.
Both men will not want this fight going to the scorecards. Cotto will not fancy his chances in front of Las Vegas’ judges and Mayweather will want to put on a display to beat the 12th-round victory carried out by none other than Manny Pacquiao.
As Mayweather prepares to serve a 90-day jail sentence, a dominant display will be on his agenda, in order to make his next return even more profitable.
It could be argued that Cotto is one of the more legitimate opponents Mayweather has had to face in the last few years.
The 31-year-old comes into this fight off the back of an impressive victory over Antonio Margarito.
***???*** Along with Mayweather fighting for a second time at 154lbs and now aged 35 more than usual – only slightly – favour an unimaginable Mayweather defeat. ***???***
The ‘money’ man will be heading into the WBA Super World light-middleweight contest in confident fashion and will, as per usual, bide his time and wait for an opening to present itself.
It is expected that Cotto will revert to his usual style and get in the face of Mayweather from the first bell.
If the Puerto Rican has the endurance to maintain that in the later rounds – not an impossible situation if he arrives in the right condition – one of his lefts could land.
If Mayweather hits the canvas for a first time, anything can happen.
For Mayweather his game plan will be to ride the early storm before using his intelligence to negotiate the middle rounds. He will then attempt to end it before the 12th.
It will allow the five-division world champion to get one up on Pacquiao before another round of inevitable but frustrating – for the fans especially – negotiations later this year.
Mayweather will also need to be in peak shape; the patience game carries a risk. At 35, having only fought four rounds in the last 24 months, the self-labelled pretty boy could well be vulnerable.
This is usually the point where the talking stops and the fighting begins. Though, to both fighters the only words of any importance will be Michael Buffer’s declaration that will preceed what both will hope is their final bell before the end of the 12th round.
To follow the action revisit The Roar for a live blog during Saturday night’s action.
Greg,Grimes
Guest
Floyd Mayweather was a lot more aggressive in his last outing against Victor Ortiz and he could, as the challenger, take it to Cotto from the off this time. I think he has a lot more respect for Cotto though and has said in the build up that patience is key. I think even as the champion, still the underdog, Cotto will be the aggressor. It will depend on how long he can keep it going. If he can keep the intensity up into the late rounds he may just catch Mayweather. If it drops then Mayweather will take advantage.
Ko'd
Guest
Yep if I was Mayor of Las Vegas and the fight had to go to the scorecards I would be penciling in 108-120 in favour of Mayweather simply as you say what he brings to the local economy must be enormous but ME being a fair supporter I would be loath to rip anyone off,but IF I was Mayor and Cotto wins I would be tearin up a few $100 bills.
The Grafter
Guest
Its an unusual scenario Greg. Cotto has the belt, having stopped Ricardo Mayorga in the 12th last year. Although he oviously has a big following in the US having fought his last ten fights either in Las Vegas or New York, its Mayweathers home town. History says the challenger always has to take the fight to the champion, be the aggressor, and win convincingly. I would predict in this fight with Mayweather being worth so much to the local economy, being the US current greatest fighter, and wanting him to join Marciano as their other unbeaten fighter suggests the boot is firmly on the other foot.