Mayweather vs. Cotto: Money's Win Proves He's Best Pound-for-Pound Boxer

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43, 26 KOs) topped Miguel Cotto (37-3, 30 KOs) Saturday night to claim the junior middleweight title for the second time in his Hall of Fame career.

Mayweather's assortment of veteran moves inside the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was simply more proof that he is the best pound-for-pound boxer around.

Forget that he, whether he admits it or not, is at least partly responsible for holding up the much-anticipated Mayweather-Manny Pacquaio mega-fight. Mayweather has done nothing but win, and at a pace fans of the sport are not used to witnessing. Forty-three up, 43 down.

Every ounce of Money Mayweather's trash talk has been backed up with a crushing upper cut or a smooth head bob out of his opponent's reach. As much time and energy that his enemies invest in attempting to knock him off his throne, Mayweather has them beat in his preparation. 

Mayweather brought in an historic $32 million for his fight with Cotto Saturday night, an almost laughable amount of cash for an undefeated champion who now has eight belts spanning five weight divisions. 

The Pretty Boy took some shots from the explosive and often impressive Cotto on Saturday, that's for sure. But the way he bounced back each time is a testament to the hard work he has put in for 16 years now. 

At age 35, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has reached and likely surpassed his prime. But with so much time off in-between his dominating performances, and the motivation created by the constant chatter surrounding the unicorn that is the Pacquiao fight, who knows how much longer Mayweather will be claiming titles and building on his legendary boxing resume.

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