Written by Anthony Whitby
Undisputed Fight Magazine
After weeks of pandering between both party lines of team Manny Pacquiao and team Floyd Mayweather it was apparent both were going to be seeking different dance partners than one another. Much verbal tennis of dates and venues and in the end and once again the split of money would all play into the puzzle of why the biggest fight of this century is not popping off this summer. What we are getting are two big pay-per-view fights that in the proper light hold up with much justification to many fans and yet at the other end of the spectrum these fights disappoints other fight fans.
The pros of the Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto fight: No catch-weights here folks just a simple fight at 154 pounds for Miguel Cotto’s Light Middleweight strap. When fans fire off that Mayweather is fighting “Manny’s leftovers” in Cotto, the Mayweather groupies will fire back that this fight won’t be blemished with a scrupulous catch weights. If the cliché holds true on styles make fights and seeing as Cotto is known to be a world class Boxer/Puncher and if the slick counter punching Mayweather has lost a step then we have more competitive fight than some give it credit for. Consider as well that Mayweather in most recent fights has reduced his movement in the ring and tends to plant his feet more. Also look at the fact that Mayweather’s has some tough spots when facing boxers i.e.: Zab Judah, Emanuel Augustas.
The Cons: Has Cotto truly redeemed himself since the destruction he suffered in the Pacquiao fight. Each fight he has won since, however his opponents health has been an issue in every fight. With Yuri Foreman it was his shot knee, granted with Ricardo Mayorga he was high up on the score cards but the Nicaraguan suffered a questionable hand injury, and just last winter he won a rematch against a one eyed Margarito. What has Cotto really done at 154 pounds has his infamous power really transferred up with him?
After the Mayweather vs. Cotto fight was announced that left the Filipino without a dance partner and while some warranted that Juan Marquez was deserving of a fourth fight at redemption. The consensus was that Tim Bradley was going to get his chance at the Pacquiao sweepstakes.
The Pros: My favorite angle of this fight is the youth factor that Tim Bradley brings to the table. Manny Pacquiao hasn’t fought an opponent that is younger than him since Cotto and before that it was Jorge Solis. I like the fact he is taking a prime opponent that shows much tenacity in his fights. Timothy Bradley isn’t one to fold under the pressure of another fighter but rather he has shown he can get out of troubled waters. The simple fact that since his fight with Joshua Clottey, Manny Pacquiao has shown in each fight afterward a little drop off in one ability or another some will claim he is slowing down while Pacquiao fans will bend to the response of overtraining before fights or leg cramps.
The Cons: I think Tim Bradley gets a bad rap for wrong reasons. “The Bradley knock” is that he a boring fighter that head butts, however putting the “Desert Storm” in a pigeon hole is unfair. Fans who plant their flag to this response are misled by the recent fights of Abregu, Alexander, and Casamayor and I encourage those fans to review Timothy fights of Kendall Holt and Lamont Peterson before passing judgment. As far at the head is concerned which I refute the idea that he just throws it out there for his opponents to worry about.
The bottom line is that that both fights have many facets that bring some questions to be answered. The simple fact that some will claim one fight is more legitimate than the other or that fight “X” will be more entertaining is for the fans to decide and most seem to already have their minds up. So we want to hear from you the fight fans. Which fight will be more entertaining? What fighter has a bigger chance of being upset? Which fight is worth paying for?
I feel the cotto fight is 5 yrs to late he’s gone thru some hellacious fights in those 5 yrs however I give kudos to Mayweather for going up to 154 With Hatton and JMM it had to be 147 and 146 It will be interesting to see what happens to Floyd if Cotto hits him with the Trademark hook to the body Remember the mysterious rib injury may be a sign to look for Now on to Manny I wish the fight was @ 140 nut Bradley is going to 147 It should be a good contest cause Bradley is ranked the top 140 and undefeated Gary Shaw mishandled his fame which is a shame Manny claims to have dropped his vices and retaken an oath of god If this is true We may see the Manny of old that comes out and destroys If he is still caught in everything fighting amongst Ariza and Koncz and not focusing like he hasn’t Bradley stands a great chance to win I prefer Manny/Bradley for the 2 fights but it will be nice to see what Cotto may have been able to do 5 yrs ago undefeated @ 147 against Floyd
Great article Tony.. I like the pros and cons both comparisons.. u nailed it.. i think that Pacman vs Desert Storm will be more competive than Money vs Cotto. I will pay for both them fights i dnt give a shit, i love boxing and looking forward to the undercards…. great stuff bro
I actually like both fights for several reasons. Like You Tony, I like the youth factor Bradley brings to the table. He is undefeated and doesn`t know how to quit and that spells trouble for Pac. If he (Pac) thought Marquez was tough, then he`s in for a long night with Bradley. I am worried about the headbutts. I have an odd feeling this one will go to the scorecards late because of an accidental butt. I`m rooting for Pac of course but I think Bradley will do enough to scrape by, headbutts or not.
I love the Cotto Mayweather fight. This was the fight I wanted to see if Pac/ May couldn`t get down and I got my wish. You know Cotto will give him a war, even if He`s down on the cards. Mayweather probably wont be in a tougher fight for the rest of his career unless he continues to move up in weight. This fight should have happened a few years back but otherwise its going to be pretty damn good.