Mayweather vs. Cotto: Money May Must Stay Focused Ahead of Jail Term

Floyd Mayweather Jr. begins serving his 90-day jail sentence on a domestic-violence battery charge on June 1, but he first must focus on Miguel Cotto.

Mayweather, who fights Cotto on May 5 at the MGM Grand, will be facing a determined opponent in Cotto, who has become a better boxer throughout the years. He cannot take Cotto lightly because he will pay for it if he does.

In addition to the 90-day sentence, Mayweather must also participate in a 12-month domestic violence counseling program, complete 100 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine. In that respect, there's the potential for him to lose focus and look ahead, instead of looking at the opponent before him.

Imagine what a loss to Cotto would do to Mayweather. He would not only have to serve a jail sentence, he'd likely be thinking about his loss the whole time. There's nothing like being trapped in jail when you are itching for another fight to prove yourself.

I don't expect Mayweather to take Cotto lightly, but the potential is still there, and he needs to stay focused before the bout. Cotto will not be an easy fight, no matter what anyone says. While the defenseless Antonio Margarito was not a great barometer for Cotto, Cotto did show in that fight that he could do damage if he's given openings to exploit. 

Mayweather is the best boxer in the world. He's also the best counter-puncher in the world. That obviously makes it difficult for Cotto to win the fight. But if Mayweather's head is elsewhere come fight night, who knows what can happen. Cotto is 37-2, after all, with 30 knockouts to his name.

There is plenty for Mayweather to be worried about come June. But if he doesn't stay focused against Cotto, he'll have a whole lot more to worry about...like his undefeated record.

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