Mayweather vs. Cotto: Miguel Cotto's Performance Shows He's Far from Done

Miguel Cotto may be 31 years old, but he's far from done.

The Puerto Rican great proved that against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Saturday night at the MGM Grand, giving Mayweather the greatest challenge of his legendary career.

The scorecards may have read 117-111, 117-111, 118-110, but that didn't accurately reflect how much of a fight Cotto put up against Mayweather. He not only made Mayweather bleed, his defense was remarkable against a fighter with pinpoint accuracy.

His jab was working effectively, he was making Mayweather miss and he battled with great heart for the full 12 rounds. He was unlike any opponent Mayweather had ever faced.

The mere fact that Cotto actually made the fight close leading up to the later rounds is a victory in itself. This is Floyd Mayweather Jr., after all, a man who has proven himself as the best boxer in the world (and that includes Manny Pacquiao).

Mayweather has fought Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley in recent bouts, but Cotto surpassed them all on Saturday night. The pride of Puerto Rico has three losses in his career, and two have come against Mayweather and Pacquiao. He owns 37 victories, 30 via knockout or TKO. It's ironic that his loss against Mayweather may have been his most impressive fight.

It also must be noted that Mayweather became an aggressive boxer against Cotto, unusual given Mayweather has always preferred to sit back, defend and win via his incredible counterpunching skills.

But when Cotto began getting through Mayweather's defense, Mayweather knew that he would have to adjust, and nobody has ever made Mayweather adjust like Cotto did.

You can now legitimately say Cotto is a notch below Mayweather and Pacquiao at this point. Cotto solidified his legacy against Mayweather and, by the looks of things, he has much more to add to his sterling career.

Cotto seems to be getting better with age.

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