Mayweather steps up to plate vs Cotto

MANILA, Philippines - The fight should have happened a long time ago. Back in 2006, Floyd Mayweather was the WBC welterweight champion. He defeated Carlos Baldomir via unanimous decision to announce his arrival at the welterweight division. Miguel Cotto, on the other hand, was an undefeated fighter who was also a newbie in the division.

Cotto was a monster at 140. He won all his fights clearly, most by dominant fashion, so when he moved up to 147 pounds and started defeating quality fighters such as Carlos Quinitna, Zab Judah and Shane Mosley, everyone thought it will only be a matter of time before he gets the chance to fight Mayweather.

However, the American chose to fight Oscar de la Hoya, then Ricky Hatton, and then he retired. After his two-year hiatus, Mayweather fought Juan Manuel Marquez, Mosley and Victor Ortiz. Then the legal problems caught up with Mayweather. He was sentenced to stay in jail for three months. The sentence was supposed to start last January but Mayweather’s team was able to wiggle out of it and proceed with their plans to promote a fight in May.

The boxing world clamored for a Mayweather-versus-Manny Pacquiao fight but the two camps again failed to agree to the terms. Mayweather ditched Pacquiao and got the second best option out there in Cotto.

In this fight, Mayweather will climb up to the super welterweight division for only the second time in his career where he will challenge for Cotto’s WBA crown. The last time Mayweather fought in the super welterweight division, Maywaeather eked out a split decision over De la Hoya for the WBC’s version of the belt.

Mayweather selected Cotto as his next opponent because the Puerto Rican has been on a tear as of late. He has a loyal fanbase and he is still considered one of the best fighters in the world even though he already has two losses in his record. While a welterweight fight between the two fighters five or six years ago would have been really good, the fight this May 6 will not pale in comparison.

The showdown will be aired on Solar Sports (Sky Cable on Ch 70, Global Destiny on Ch 35, Cignal on Ch 45 and Cablelink on Ch 31).