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.
ceebow
Guest
pacman will still smack the arrogance out of this show pony mayweather.
Rumblefans
Guest
That was an amazing fight. I've never seen anyone make Meayweather work so hard. Cotto may have lost the fight but he made Puerto Rico Proud!!
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
Miguel Cotto will get plaudits for the way he performed especially in the middle rounds but for the 43rd time Floyd Mayweather was again just too strong and too quick. Mayweather knew he had been in a real fight, blood from his nose in the sixth confirmed that. The message at the end of the fight from the new WBA super champ was, "Lets give the fans what they want, Mayweather Vs Pacquiao. If Cotto can do the tests why can't he. Then we can prove who's the best."
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
Knowing he is ahead in the score card - Mayweather moves around the outside of the ring avoiding getting embroiled in another brawl in the centre of the ring. A number of combinations is followed up by a big right hand which staggered Cotto. The first time either fighter had a sense that the other might go down. Cotto steadied himself but Mayweather had done enough and safely negotiated the last minute of the last round. The fight went to the judges and the score the contest 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111. Michael Buffer declares Floyd 'Money' Mayweather as the new WBA super world light-middleweight champion and still undefeated with a new record of 43-0.
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
Mayweather starts the 10th on the outside and tries to capitalise on his greater reach but it doesn't take long before he is embroiled back into a war. After a tussle on the inside, Mayweather picks of Cotto with a couple of counter punches but Cotto finished the round with a flurry of shots before the bell. Cotto continues to work the inside and Mayweather is happy to soak up the pressure during the 11th. Cotto continues to throw the combinations but with the lack of power. Mayweather is quick on the counter and lands a significant upper cut.
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
Cotto forces Mayweather to the ropes at the start of the eighth but Mayweather replies with a sharp uppercut. The 35-year-old shapes up for another but Cotto exploits the gap left in Mayweather's defence. A number of combinations is cheered by the crowd as Cotto takes the round. The ninth produces more of the same as Cotto continues to go toe-to-toe with Mayweather. This round doesn't see the same volume of shots by Cotto and once in a bit of space Mayweather shows the threat he poses late on in the ninth.
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
Cotto wins his first clear round of the fight in the sixth, he starts the round well connecting with three successive jabs before negotiating the rest of the round on the back foot as Mayweather takes the centre of the ring. The loss of that round is componded with a bloody nose for Mayweather. He produces a reaction in the seventh as he regains control of the centre of the ring and uses his jab to good effect. Cotto still proving he is a threat with a few of his own.
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
The fourth round sees Mayweather step up a gear, he throws a number of combinations at Cotto - for the first time so far - it is evident the change is style staggers Cotto. The WBA super champ gets minimal success when he forces Mayweather onto the ropes at the end of the round but Mayweather's speed is too much on the counter. The fifth sees Cotto race out of the blocks sensing his best chance is to get Mayweather on the ropes and work the inside but again Mayweather's speed is key as he counters to good effect.
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
The first real success comes in the second as a persistant Cotto works the inside. The 31-year-old lands successive combinations on Mayweather as he pushes the 'money' man on to the ropes. The third round sees Cotto force Mayweather onto the ropes again but struggles to gain any real power in his shots. Mayweather steadies himself before breaking through Cotto's defence with two successive jabs and an overhand right.
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
First round- As expected Cotto is the aggressor from the off and quickly seizes the centre of the ring. Mayweather happy to box on the outside throws his single jabs and is quicker to the punch than Cotto. Despite a late combination from the Puerto Rican towards the end it seems Mayweather edged the opening round.
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
Mayweather walking out first!! Unusual for him. If this is as good as Canelo Alvarez and Shane Mosley's fight we are in for a real treat
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
Expecting Cotto to be the agressor tonight. Mayweather in his last press conference said he would need to be patient. Although, I could also see a quicker start for Mayweather similar to his fight with Victor Ortiz. He will know Cotto has a game plan and the unexpected may deter Cotto's approach.
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
As mentioned in the preview, will Mayweather want to get one over Manny Pacquiao by stopping this before the 12th?
Sanches
Guest
One of two things will happen here - either Cotto tags him between 4-7 and stops the fight, or Mayweather outboxes him and Cotto stands up through 12. My money is on Money though!
Greg.Grimes
Roar Rookie
Miguel Cotto has odds of 7/1 to win tonight, would anyone dare to bet against Floyd Mayweather Jr?
Beau Greenfield
Guest
Floyd in five!!!!
Greg.Grimes
Guest
With just over an hour to go - who has a prediction? Is anyone going to stick their neck out and pick Miguel Cotto?