Mayweather vs. Cotto: Contrast of Styles Creates Must-See Fight

Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto are two extremely different fighters and that's what makes the May 5 megafight something you can't miss. 

It's difficult finding a compelling opponent for "Money," both because he's 42-0—with a relative amount of ease—and because everyone and their mother wants Mayweather-Pacquiao, and nothing else.

But the move of Mayweather back to light middleweight is a brilliant one, and despite no one wanting him to fight anyone besides Pacquiao a few months ago, this has the makings of a thriller.

Money is 42-0, yes, but remember arguably his toughest battle?

That's right, it was the only other one he fought at this weight class. It was the bout with an over-the-hill Oscar De La Hoya back in 2007, and Mayweather only won via split decision.

It was hardly domination, which the heavily favored Mayweather was supposed to deliver.

Now, with Mayweather heavily favored yet again (1/6), what will he do? Will he prove once and for all that he belongs in this class and he is just as dominant at a heavier weight? Or will his struggles continue?

To be fair, Miguel Cotto—although much more in his prime than The Golden Boy was—isn't Oscar De La Hoya.

De La Hoya bothered Mayweather with his length and ability to connect with the jab from a distance.

That's something Cotto can't do.

Junito doesn't have the reach that De La Hoya had, and as a result he won't be able to connect on many punches against Mayweather, who is arguably the best defensive fighter in, well, history. 

It's a good thing, then, that Cotto doesn't rely on landing a lot of punches. Instead, he packs a whole lot of power in less overall punches. If he is going to beat Mayweather, he'll have to land a few of those big shots.

As former light heavyweight champ Antonio Tarver puts it, via ESPN, he's going to have to put everything on the line.

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"When Floyd opens up, he's gonna have to punch with him. That's how you negate speed, and that's a big risk, but his reward is so gigantic [that] he's gonna have to be willing to lay it all on the line. And if has to go out on his shield, go out trying to get that victory."

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Essentially, if Cotto actually wants to win this fight, get ready for some action.

Cotto's power versus Mayweather's speed and defense. For a match that at first glance seemed so lopsided and so unnecessary, that certainly is a compelling storyline you need to pay attention to. 

I don't suggest missing this one. 

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