Floyd Mayweather Jr. Vs. Miguel Cotto: Part One In A Five Part Series

Following boxing can be a chore for even the most hardcore fan. There are several champions in each division, as well as a Ring Magazine champion that most in the boxing community recognize as the "real" champion of that division.

Sometimes the best fighter in a division doesn't have a single belt, sometimes he has all of them. In certain cases, fighters win titles and are stripped for not fighting mandatory, no-hope challengers in favor of better opposition.

In an effort to help clear up some the confusion, I have selected five fights that if happened before the end of this year could help clear up boxing's pecking order. In this edition I have chosen,

1. Miguel Cotto (32-0) vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0)

Now I know Cotto has a fight scheduled for July 26 against Antonio Margarito. I'm not assuming he will win this matchup, I am making this matchup as both he and Money Mayweather still possess their 0.

The story-

This fight has it all.

It's a battle of unbeaten fighters. Mayweather is the Ring Magazine Champion at welterweight, and is considered by many to be the #1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. He is brash, he talks trash, and genuinely believes his own hype.

Cotto is also unbeaten,  from Puerto Rico, and is the opposite of Mayweather. He possesses a humble demeanor which starkly contrasts with his killer instinct in the ring. The differences in personality makes this fight a natural rivalry from the moment this fight is signed.

the styles-

Mayweather is an ultra cautious defensive wizard who likes to wait out his opponents, feel them out in the early rounds, then potshot them and run them into all sorts of counter shots as the fight wears on and they get frustrated.

He is very difficult to hit cleanly, as he rolls his shoulders with punches in order to not take the full effect. He has decent power, which is generated more from his handspeed than anything else.

Cotto on the other hand, is a versatile boxer puncher with an aggressive, stalking, style. He applies relentless pressure on his opponents, and has proven that he can respond well to adversity.

He likes to work the body, and is heavy handed. He doesn't score many one punch KO's, instead punishing fighters and viciously beats them to the body and eventually to the head.

the fight-

Their styles make for an interesting pair. Cotto would look to get inside and apply pressure to Mayweather, who has only looked uncomfortable against extreme pressure fighters who let their hands go frequently such as Jose Luis Castillo.

Cotto would hope to punish Mayweather and sap some of his speed and stamina early on.

Mayweather would look to stifen Cotto's attack early, be patient, hold on the inside, and hit Cotto with those sneaky right hand leads.

Later in the fight Mayweather would look to land those more and more, and catch Cotto coming in with something big.

My prediction-

Cotto by KO in round 10. I see a good scrap, with Mayweather not being able to hold Cotto off for 12 rounds. I see him eventually getting worn down with hooks to the body, and complaining more and more to the ref about low blows before taking a knee.

After getting up I see him staging a good rally before the ref steps in and stops the fight with Cotto landing unanswered punches with Mayweather on the ropes.

Look for my next fight in the series,

2. Kelly Pavlik (33-0) vs. Joe Calzaghe (45-0)