Story by Anthony Springer Jr.
Photos by Chris Cozzone
The ‘will they?’ or ‘won’t they?’ game surrounding a much-hyped-but-not -happening mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is like Christmas Day to boxing fans—except the calendar remains stuck on Christmas Eve. It’s not that either fighter has been fighting bums, but the public wants what it wants, when it wants it and Christmas Eve doesn’t quite cut the mustard when your eye is on the gift under the tree.
Christmas Even will come around once again May 5, as Miguel Cotto will try his hands at becoming the first man to defeat “Money” Mayweather as a pro.
At 37-2, Cotto is certainly no pushover. Other than a questionable loss to Antonio Margarito (which was later avenged), the Puerto Rican pugilists only other L is to Pacquiao—and there’s certainly no shame in losing to Pacquiao.
Accomplishments aside, Cotto was relatively modest on a recent call promoting the bout. He’ll defend his WBA Super Light Middleweight title come fight night. Not meeting Mayweather at a catch weight is something the champion is thankful for.
“I give thanks to him for making the fight in my weight,” said Cotto. “If he wants my title, he has to fight in my weight, and he does it in the correct way. It’s my weight class. I feel comfortable in here. I’m feeling pretty strong, really happy to get this fight in my weight class, and I just prepared myself well enough for victory.”
For Cotto, timing is everything. Nearly four years and five fights separated his loss to Margarito and his subsequent victory over the first man to defeat him. When asked why he hadn’t fought Mayweather in one of those five bouts, Cotto simply shrugged it off, saying this was the ideal time for the bout to happen
“Fights can’t happen four, five, six years ago, but they happen now,” he continued. “I have everything I took from Margarito’s victory. Things he stole from me, things he grabbed from me. I have it back, and I feel much better right now.”
Cotto was relatively mum on his strategy. But he made one thing clear: in spite of Mayweather’s unbeaten record and in ring skills, he’s ready to put the first L on the record of the sport’s biggest draw.
“Nobody is invincible in life. I know that because I pass through this point in my life. I’m ready for anything Floyd brings me on May 5th. The question is, is Floyd ready for anything Miguel can bring to him? I know he’s a hard worker. He said to everybody he’s a hard worker, but he’s going to have in front of him on May 5 a hard worker like him. On May 5, I’m trusting in myself. I know what I have to do to get the victory.”
