Floyd Mayweather: Miguel Cotto's Rapid Ascension Makes Him Worthy Foe

Some may say Floyd Mayweather Jr. has proven himself as the No. 1 boxer in the world. Given Manny Pacquiao's last two fights, there is certainly an argument to be made.

But Miguel Cotto's rise since his last loss to Pacquiao is exactly why he would prove a better challenge to Pacquiao these days, as well as Mayweather.

Nobody could have blamed Cotto for losing to Pacquiao back in 2009. He wasn't skilled enough, nor educated enough in the ring to defeat the world's No. 1 boxer. Pacquiao danced around him for over 11 rounds before scoring a TKO in the 12th frame.

But Cotto has become a much better boxer in the last few years and Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz has made a monumental difference for the 31-year-old.

Cotto is still not the boxer Mayweather is, but that's stating the obvious—Pacquiao is the only boxer in the world who can legitimately stack up to Mayweather in terms of talent. In that regard, Cotto's game plan against Mayweather will be key. Does he apply pressure and potentially get picked apart by Mayweather's fantastic counter-punching? Or does he stay balanced and attempt to outbox Mayweather despite a disadvantage in speed and skill?

There is no easy answer for this, obviously. The best strategy may be to mix it up and attempt to confuse Mayweather. And before you scoff at the notion that Mayweather could ever be confused in the ring, know that Cotto's ring intelligence has skyrocketed since the Pacquiao fight. No, he hasn't exactly fought premier boxers, but his battering of Antonio Margarito did show he will make fighters pay for mistakes. Remember, he lost to Margarito via TKO in 2008.

That's why, while I'm disappointed that Mayweather and Pacquiao may never fight, Mayweather vs. Cotto appears to be a better bout than expected. And, in all honesty, was anyone actually impressed with Shane Mosley and Victor Ortiz against Mayweather? It's not just that Mayweather boxed within the game—Mosley and Ortiz simply weren't worthy opponents.

Cotto is a worthy opponent for Mayweather, and he has the potential to shock the world. Mayweather shouldn't be taking him lightly.

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