Mayweather vs Cotto: What Money Must Do to Restore Reputation

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world in some circles, but he didn't help his reputation as a boxer the last time he set foot in the ring.

You remember. Money last fought against Victor Ortiz in September, knocking him out in the fourth round to win the WBC Welterweight title.

On paper, the result looks great. In reality, Money's knockout of Ortiz came thanks to a cheap shot.

This is when you and I start arguing. The argument in Money's defense is that the fight was on at the time, and that he caught Ortiz napping. There had been a stoppage, but it was over. Besides, Ortiz has nobody to blame but himself, as boxers are supposed to protect themselves at all times.

Maybe so, but it was a cheap shot all the same. Joe Cortez, who was refereeing the fight, wasn't watching the two fighters, and Money shot out a left hand before Cortez turned around. He saw a window to land a cheap shot, and he took advantage of the opportunity.

One thing all of us should be able to agree on is this: Money is better than that. A boxer of his talent shouldn't have to resort to bush league tactics to win fights, but that's exactly what he did against Ortiz.

When Mayweather steps into the ring against Miguel Cotto on May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, he'll have some reputation repairing to do. After the stunt he pulled against Ortiz, Money needs to win his fight against Cotto fair and square. There can be controversy, but it better have everything to do with the judges and/or Cotto and nothing to do with Mayweather. 

So what kind of win will help repair Money's reputation?

A 12-round decision, preferably unanimous, would do the trick. A win like that will show that Money still has it in him to go a full 12 rounds after his one and only fight in the last 24 months went a mere four rounds. A unanimous decision will show that it's still just as hard to land punches on Mayweather as it's ever been.

The other option should be obvious. If Mayweather doesn't take Cotto the distance, it's because he will have knocked him out. A knockout would be just fine in my book, as long as it doesn't come thanks to an inexcusable cheap shot, of course. As long as Cotto goes down fighting instead of standing flat-footed waiting for a go-ahead from the referee, nobody will be in a position to whine about Mayweather.

I'll be fair to Money and say this: I'm not expecting him to weasel his way out of this fight like he did against Ortiz. Though, I have issues with the way that fight ended, I'm not about to question Mayweather's abilities as a fighter. He's one of the best the sport has ever seen.

I'm merely looking for him to fight like one of the greatest fighters ever. If he resorts to bush league tactics to beat Cotto, I won't have any problem whatsoever questioning Mayweather's greatness.

And rest assured, I won't be alone in that regard.