Traditionally, this is the time when we all say things like "the time for talking is over." But would anyone really be surprised to hear Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0) spitting verbal barbs through his mouthguard at Miguel Cotto (37-2) even after the opening bell?
Nah.
Thanks to television shows like "24/7" on HBO, Mayweather is as known for his mouth as he is for his fists. Love him or hate him, it's hard to disagree on his appraisals of his own talents relative to his peers. The oddsmakers who have made the 35-year-old a decided favorite as well as the many experts who picked him to win this fight, including the panel at SI.com, certainly didn't.
Given the expectations, Cotto is playing with house money (or an allotment of Money's money) from the moment he enters the ring. An upset here would burnish his reputation immensely while a loss -- unless it comes with little resistance -- won't like damage his standing all that much.
So, what does Mayweather have to gain? First and foremost, there is that 43rd win against no losses. Second, there is Cotto's WBA super welterweight belt. Third, there is a chance to keep stockpiling ammunition for his case that he is superior to Manny Pacquiao, the boxer who fight fans the world over wished he was actually taking on. Oh, and there's also the matter of the record-setting $32 million purse that he's guaranteed before even stepping in the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. That staggering sum would certainly be a nice farewell gift before Mayweather begins serving a 90-day jail sentence on June 1 resulting from a domestic violence charge.
Will Mayweather remain unbeaten? Do the fighters' weights and ages actually favor Cotto? Can he shock the world and every last member of #TeamMoney with an upset win? And, as most everyone will be wondering, does either result make it more or less likely that we'll ever see that long-awaited Mayweather-Pacquiao bout?
STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES THROUGHOUT:
| @ HBOboxing : Some final stats: Mayweather outlanded Cotto 179 to 105 overall, and 128 to 75 in power punches. |
"Man, that boy was tough tonight. He didn't lay down.. He's one of the toughest fighters I ever fought."
I was looking to fight Manny Pacqiao. That fight didn't happen because.. and I don't think the fight would have happened because of Bob Arum. Bob Arum is in the way. He's stopping the Pacquiao fight. Let's give the fans what they want to see. They want to see Mayweather and Pacquiao."
This seems to be Mayweather's catch phrase. He uses it to describe getting bloodied and going to jail. Astutely, Merchant asks "What territory?"
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has won to take Cotto's belt and remain undefeated
Both fighters embrace and then Floyd jumps up on the ropes in a winning posture.
Cotto got stunned by an uppercut by Cotto managed to keep his feet and find Mayweather for support. That's the most he's been hurt.
Cotto not taking anything home with him, swing double barrels, pushing Floyd back into corner.
Can a decisive round to Cotto do enough? Will judges have been swayed by Floyd's blood or his stats?
| @ KevinI : Mayweather takes the 11th 10-9. I have it 105-104 for Mayweather after 11 rounds. Wow. The drama builds!!! Very very fun fight. |
In vintage Floyd fashion, he seems to know where he stands and is content to run out the clock. But he comes on late in the round as Cotto really slows his movement, lowers his hands.
Cotto makes some noise late in the 10th but is it enough to get hm the round? Can he do this?
| @ MikeWiseguy : Now it comes down to conditioning and smarts. Cotto needs to win last three to get a draw, I think. |
| @ Jason1Goff : Harold Lederman is acting like you can press a reset button every round. Cotto was dog tired in the 9th. |
By the numbers, Mayweather is landing waaay more punches. Lederman has Mayweather 6-3 through 9. He feels that Cotto squandered the ninth round when he could have consolidated his gains from 6,7 and 8.
After opening up the ninth with a defensive mindset, Cotto sneaks in left hook.
The most decisive round for Cotto of the bout. Mayweather still bleeding from the nose and the crowd cheering.
Cotto is decisively taking control of this round. He throwing lefts and rights and has Mayweather back in the corner.
With Cotto keeping his hands in at his ears and head low in a defensive posture, Mayweather lands a flurry of lefty uppercuts.
Cotto is aggressively punching and pressing Mayweather up against the ropes. He's getting through and with his fists and lowering the shoulder when he needs to keep Mayweather in that spot.
| @ danrafaelespn : Rd 7 also close but I went with Mayweather. Keeps landing rights to Cotto's ear. #RingKings #boxing |
Jim Lampley says it could conceivably go to Mayweather. It was very close. Could easily be scored for Mayweather.
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| @ HBOboxing : It's Rd 7 and things have slowed a bit. Looking a little more like a Mayweather fight. Cotto needs to keep pressuring. 58-56 Mayweather |
| @ rolandsmartin : A confident boxer can be dangerous. Harold Lederman gave Cotto last two rounds. I agree. Floyd first four |
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The Huffington Post | By Chris Greenberg Posted: 05/05/2012 10:51 pm Updated: 05/05/2012 11:40 pm