Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto: Junito Exposed Holes in Money's Defense

The unfamiliar sight of blood dripping from Floyd Mayweather's nose during Money's unanimous decision win over Miguel Cotto told us all one thing: Cotto was able to penetrate a defense that few ever had. 

And in doing so, he exposed some holes in the defense that has been more impenetrable than a Rubix cube. 

This wasn't nearly enough for Cotto to win the fight—or even come close—but it showed everyone a way that Floyd could possibly be beaten. 

Jab Over the Right

Cotto was able to do some damage in this fight with his jab. He has a strong and quick jab, and he was able to sneak it in right of the top of Floyd's right glove. 

Mayweather's stance leaves this opening. For Mayweather, his defense typically starts with his front side, his left. He is always ready to roll that shoulder to deflect incoming blows. 

This leaves his right hand just a little low, and the opening for the jab is there. Now he is still quick enough to weave out of the way of these blows, but if his opponent finds the right rhythm and throws it quick, they can sneak it in and do some damage with the jab. 

Left Hook 

Speaking of the shoulder roll, this does little good for incoming left hands. Money is a right-handed fighter, which means this leaves him with his left side in front of his right.

That leaves him in perfect position to deflect the incoming right hands with his shoulder. However, the left is a different story.

Cotto was able to land a much higher percentage of his left hand shots than his right, and this is not just due to the left-handed jabs referenced above. 

This applies for the bigger left-handed hooks and the occasional uppercut, as well. 

Exposing these holes was good enough to win Cotto a few rounds, but not nearly enough to have him win the war. However, it has laid the groundwork for another fighter to end Money's unbeaten streak.