Mayweather vs. Cotto: Breaking Down Money May's Legacy Post-Cotto Bout

Floyd Mayweather will step into the ring again on May 5 to face Miguel Cotto, but the intriguing question is how his legacy will be affected when he steps back out of it.

Money May has one thing that he clings to more than anything, and that's his perfect record that will be put to the test by another lesser fighter that has delusions of grandeur. 

Okay—that may be a little heavy handed. Cotto is more underrated than anything. However, even he has no shot at taking down arguably the best in the sport. 

I am beyond captivated by Cotto and his aggressive style, and am interested to see how that translates to a brawl in the ring. 

When you consider Mayweather's defense, speed and poise, it's hard to fathom anything but a methodical takedown of Cotto. 

However, this isn't about what takes place in that ring on May 5, but what we will consider Mayweather to be long after.

In Victory

Quick—what do you think of Floyd Mayweather Jr?

Your answer will likely remain after a victory over Miguel Cotto. That's exactly the issue with modern-day boxing. 

Money May is polarizing, but the results in the ring hardly ever are. Many boxing experts may find some great victories in Mayweather's wake, but the casual fan doesn't see him ever being tested. 

Yes, this is because of the elephant in the room that will color his career more than anything else. With Mayweather being the villain of the sport, he needs a bout with Manny Pacquiao more than any. 

However, it's doubtful that a win would have Mayweather clamoring to fight the other "best in sport."

And so the status quo continues.

In Defeat

This is what I am hoping for, since it offers so many various scenarios we have never seen. How does Mayweather receive defeat? Who will he fight next? How does he bounce back?

The one great thing about sports is finding out how resilient an athlete or team may be. We have no idea what Mayweather will do when faced with the thought that, on one night, someone was better than he was. 

I think we could expect a rematch, or a sudden urge to prove his worth against Pac-Man.

If you want to see the sport elevated and see a sense of urgency that we have never seen from Money May, you want a Mayweather loss on May 5. 

However, I just don't see that happening. 

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