Mayweather vs. Cotto: What Miguel Cotto Must Do to Prevent a Money May KO

There is no question who the favorite is when Floyd Mayweather Jr. greets Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

Money May is putting his undefeated record on the line, and will be giving his typical aggressive-yet-calculated effort.

How can Cotto survive—not only to avoid the knockout, but to actually win the match?

Pinpoint accuracy with his punches.

There is no doubt Mayweather is an incredible defensive fighter who takes advantage of most missed punches by the opponent. If Cotto exposes himself too often, then Mayweather is going to destroy him with body shots that terminate his strength and endurance.

Even Cotto admits how important punch accuracy is when fighting a guy like Mayweather (via Fox Sports):

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Preparing is following up on these things that I already know and delivering each and every move with sharp accuracy. Accuracy is essential; I can’t stress that enough. I’m a left-handed fighter, and I know how to use that to my advantage. Look at my fight with (Shane) Mosley. I know how to land anything I throw, which is key. A powerful defense doesn’t faze me because I know how to consistently crack it. It’s about movement and mental strategy.

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Cotto has quick feet and the ability to endure plenty of blows from Mayweather, but he can’t afford to expose himself with a weak or off-the-mark punch to set him up to get pulverized by Money May.

Cotto needs to have a nearly flawless match to ensure the win. Most of his ability will allow that to happen, but it’s the accuracy of his punches that will ultimately tell the story of this fight.

Oh yeah, and don’t try any head-butts either. That didn’t work so well for the last guy. 

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