Mayweather vs. Cotto: Why Pretty Boy Floyd Needs a Clean Victory over Junito

Floyd Mayweather has been the source of controversy throughout his career, most of it self-generated by the things he says and how he carries himself. If ever there was a time for him to get a clean, decisive victory, it would be on Saturday night against Miguel Cotto. 

The last time we saw Mayweather in a ring was in September against Victor Ortiz. That was his return bout after 16 months away due to various legal and personal issues, and there were questions about what kind of condition he would be after such a long layoff. 

As you recall, that fight ended in a controversy after Mayweather knocked Ortiz out with a perceived cheap shot. That led to Mayweather getting booed out of the building and his now-infamous confrontation with Larry Merchant in the middle of the ring. 

It was yet another potential black eye to a career that, despite having no losses, has been filled with blemishes. 

Time has passed and the outrage surrounding that fight has died completely. In the meantime, Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather's biggest rival who he has yet to lock horns with, had his lunch handed to him against Juan Manuel Marquez last November. 

Like Mayweather, Pacquiao walked away from that fight with a controversial victory from the judges. It was the first stain in the career of boxing's Golden Child, and it also opened the door for Mayweather to prove that it should be Pacquiao begging for the dream fight to happen. 

There are doubts surrounding Pacquiao and how much he has left right now. Despite having a fight with Timothy Bradley next month, he is busy being a congressman in the Philippines and planning for life after boxing. 

If Mayweather is able to get a victory over someone the caliber of Cotto without any controversy whatsoever, he would put the ball firmly in Pacquiao's court. He could say that he has taken on the most difficult challenges and beaten them decisively. 

Pacquiao would have to put together his own dominant performance to get some of his momentum back. 

Mayweather vs. Cotto is going to have huge implications on the sport for a long time to come. The best thing for everyone would be a clean win for Money, and he will do anything and everything he can to make that happen. 

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