Mayweather vs. Cotto: Miguel Cotto Solidifies His Legacy Against Money May

Miguel Cotto has rattled off 37 victories in his career, but it's his loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr. that will stand the test of time.

Cotto, as impressive a fighter he is, was outmatched in nearly every category against Mayweather on Saturday night at the MGM Grand. That's what happens when you fight against the best boxer on the planet.

But Cotto dug deep, displaying the warrior's mentality that has made him a fan favorite throughout the years and the pride of Puerto Rico.

Cotto lost via unanimous decision against Mayweather on Saturday, but even the egocentric Mayweather had to give him a hand.

Mayweather told Cotto in the ring after the fight, via ESPN, "You're a hell of a champion. You're the toughest guy I ever fought."

Mayweather wasn't lying.

What Cotto did on Saturday night, even in a loss, cannot be overstated. He stood toe-to-toe with Mayweather, battling him for 12 rounds and actually making him look uncomfortable at times.

He made Mayweather bleed, for crying out loud.

Toward the end of the eighth round, he had landed some shots to Mayweather's head that must have shocked Money May himself.

Nobody gave Cotto a chance against Mayweather, but his warrior's mentality alone, not to mention impressive boxing skills, turned the world on its head for one night, doing the unthinkable: making Mayweather look human inside the ring.

Cotto has nothing to be ashamed of.

Obviously, no fighter ever likes losing, even if that fighter has only lost three times in his career.

But Cotto should be proud of his effort. He gave boxing fans a legitimate consolation fight for Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, and showed that boxing can indeed survive without Mayweather and Pacquiao ever fighting.

The world will remember the fight Cotto gave Mayweather, a bout that turned out to be the greatest challenge of Mayweather's career.

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