Sunday afternoon will see the slickness of Floyd Mayweather Jr come up against the aggressive style of Miguel Cotto, but the key attribute will be endurance in the fight. Join us for live updates throughout the afternoon, with the main event expected to commence around 1.00pm AEST.
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 precede 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 Sunday afternoon’s action as we cover the fight that is scheduled for a 1.00pm AEST start time, and if you’re following along, give us your thoughts in the space below.
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