Mayweather vs. Cotto: Why Now Is Perfect Time for Anticipated Bout

The anticipation and the desire have been building for years, but four or five years ago, it wasn't the right time for Miguel Cotto to face Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Instead, the right time is right now.

The two will square off on May 5 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, and the hype, which started to percolate six years ago, is at an all-time high. The match will be no small feat for Cotto (37-2, 30 KO), but it's one he feels he's never been more prepared to take on, particularly after defeating Antonio Margarito in December.

Cotto said in a conference call, transcribed by BoxingNews24.com, that the victory, in which he avenged a 2008 loss to Margarito, assured him that he is truly ready to face a fighter of Mayweather's caliber: 

"

I feel better right now. I feel this is—after the Margarito fight on December 3, I feel much, much better with myself. I think this is the right moment for this fight. ... I have everything I took from Margarito’s victory—things he stole from me, things he grabbed from me. I have it back, and I feel much better right now. 

"

It seems that Cotto has discovered a renewed focus and vigor for boxing, and Mayweather may be ripe for the picking as he contemplates a jail sentence that will begin in June. All it will take is one slip in concentration for Cotto to be able to defeat the formidable Mayweather (42-0, 26 KO).

In June, Mayweather will serve three months in jail after pleading guilty to attacking his ex-girlfriend while two of their children watched in September 2010. The sentence, stemming from a Las Vegas domestic violence case, was handed down in early January, and the judge presiding over the case agreed to postpone the sentence until after the Cinco de Mayo fight.

While there seems to be plenty to distract Mayweather from his upcoming showdown, Cotto's one and only focus is finding a way to capitalize on all of the behind-the-scenes drama, and he has plenty of faith in trainer Pedro Diaz's game plan. It's not about finding a new way to win; it's about rediscovering the technique that would have led him to victory when he was at his best. Cotto said in the conference call: 

"

He said to me, I’m not here to give to you new things. You are a veteran fighter, and I’m just here to take things you put in your sight back in the game. That’s the main purpose of Pedro in my corner to make me feel like the Miguel of the beginning, and make me feel like the Miguel that basically you saw with Mosley. This Miguel you’re going to see on May 5th. 

"

In defeating Margarito, Cotto proved that, with the right combination of preparation and motivation, he has what it takes to be the best. When he's focused, he can conjure up the ruthless Miguel of old, or Miguel of the beginning, as he says.

Given the circumstances, the Miguel of old might just be fierce enough to take down the Mayweather of present.