Mayweather vs. Cotto: What Must Happen for This Fight to Be Considered a Classic

Watching Floyd Mayweather fight isn't exactly a chance to see some action-packed, suspense thriller. It's the symphony. It's Miles Davis blowing on his horn. You're watching someone so extremely gifted, and you understand that.

Yes, it's great to watch a master at his craft, but a great boxing match needs plenty of action and drama, and you don't exactly get that from Money Mayweather. 

If you're like me and you grew up watching fights as a kid, you've been spoiled by some classics. You've probably watched the Fight of the Decade between Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the Barrera-Morales trilogy, Gatti-Ward, Hagler-Hearns or Sugar Ray's fight with Thomas Hearns.

Could tonight's fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0) and Miguel Cotto (37-2) join that prestigious list? At first glance, there's no way, but these five things could turn the tide and make it into a classic:

1. Bleed and Tag

Miguel Cotto doesn't have the speed to equal Mayweather, but he does have the power to hurt him badly. If Cotto can land just enough shots to Mayweather's eyes and maybe open up a nice cut, then we have something. Remember, we've never seen Mayweather really bleeding and in serious trouble. How would he react?

2. Stand and Trade

Mayweather occasionally shows off his power, but what happens if Cotto gets him in the corner and Mayweather can't get out? He's going to have throw bombs. That plays right into Cotto's game. His power is just as devastating.

If we get that, we could get a little Hagler-Hearns-like action following. Known as the "most violent nine minutes in boxing," the two legends came out throwing bombs from the first bell, and it was Hagler who came away with a third-round technical knockout in their 1985 title fight.

It would take a lot for this to happen, but nothing wrong with hoping, is there?

3. Stick the Jab

If you watched Mayweather's fight with Oscar De La Hoya, you'll remember that De La Hoya was really effective with his jabs and actually had the momentum before he suddenly just stopped.

Cotto has gradually perfected his jab over the years, and it could become a huge asset tonight. It's exactly what helped Bernard Hopkins take down Felix Trinidad and become the undisputed middleweight champ back in 2001.

4. Don't Let Up

An old Shane Mosley was able to knock Mayweather down, but his problem was that he let up after that. There's no reason to think Cotto wouldn't have a chance at dropping Floyd, and you have to know he won't let up either.

If he pounces, will Floyd stay calm and still act like it's all good, or will he get worried? Remember, all this man wants to do is protect the zero. And if a knockdown comes in the championship rounds? Sorry, no way will he be taking it easy. 

5. Don't Get Flustered

The problem with many Mayweather opponents is that they stray from what got them there and try to get cute. Then, when Mayweather starts racking up round after round, it's too late and they're done.

Miguel Cotto's a sharp fighter with an even-keeled demeanor. If he can stay focused, have a high work rate and even take a few shots from Mayweather, this could get fascinating and maybe even become a classic by the end of the night.