Mayweather vs. Cotto: 3 Things Junito Must Do to Secure Monumental Upset

Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto should provide fans with a thrilling fight, but Cotto is going to have to be close to perfect if he wants to pull off the big upset on May 5. 

Mayweather, of course, has won all 42 fights of his career and is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz back in September of 2011.

He has been "Money" in every sense of the word, although it's unclear whether or not his upcoming jail sentence will be a distraction.

Cotto started off his career in a similar fashion. Junito won his first 32 fights, but losses to Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao put a dent in his confidence.

That being said, he has since beat Margarito in a rematch. What's more, at 37-2, he now appears ready for quite possibly the biggest fight of his career.

Here's a look at what Cotto needs to do to retain the WBA super light middleweight title. 

Stay confident

In his first fight with Antonio Margarito, a bout in which Margarito won by TKO in the 11th round, it was believed by many that Margarito had cheated.

The Express Train was accused—although never "convicted"—of putting illegal knuckle pads on before a separate fight with Shane Mosley. As a result, some believe he did it again against Cotto.

Nonetheless, Cotto's belief in himself wasn't the same following that defeat, and he credits his loss to Pacquiao to a lack of confidence.

However, it now appears that Junito's confidence is back after getting revenge against Margarito.

Per Yahoo! Sports:

"

"After the Margarito fight on Dec. 3, I feel much, much better with myself," Cotto said. "I think this is the right moment for this fight [with Mayweather]. 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."

"

Staying confident will be incredibly key for Cotto. He can't back down to Money. 

Fight big

Floyd Mayweather's only other fight at 154 pounds was against Oscar De La Hoya.

Mayweather won that fight, but it was arguably the toughest test of his career (he won by split decision), even though De La Hoya was nearing the end of his own.

If De La Hoya gave Mayweather that much trouble, then Miguel Cotto—as long as he uses his size effectively—is going to easily give Money his toughest fight ever. 

Stay on the inside

This sort of comes under fighting "big," but Cotto needs to stay close to Mayweather to make him uncomfortable.

He can't let Money utilize his terrific speed and agility.

Tony Weeks, who is fairly lenient and doesn't get overly involved, will be the referee in this matchup. Cotto will be able to stay on the inside against Money, as long as he is working.

Winning the close-fighting—and staying there—will be critical for Junito.