Al Bello - Getty Images
Miguel Cotto is getting another huge opportunity, as he'll face Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 5 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
During his hearing today to renew his license with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Floyd Mayweather Jr made the official announcement: He will face Miguel Cotto on May 5 at the MGM Grand, live on HBO pay-per-view.
This has been the fight expected to be announced today, as word leaked earlier about the bout to various sources. It came up first as a rumor, and then was pretty much considered a done deal. Now, we know for sure that it's Mayweather vs Cotto on May 5.
Mayweather is still waiting for his license to be reinstated, but that's a given, really. Mayweather is not in jail right now specifically so he can fight on May 5 in Las Vegas.
The bulk of the rest of Mayweather's license hearing centered on his community service, counseling, and desire to go back in time and do things differently. He was apologetic, but also noted that despite his upbringing, he's "beaten the cycle."
Mayweather (42-0, 26 KO) and Cotto (37-2, 30 KO) are reportedly going to fight at the full 154-pound junior middleweight limit, for Cotto's WBA "super" title. Mayweather currently holds the WBC welterweight belt, but Cotto made clear in negotiations with Manny Pacquiao for a June 9 fight that he would not be returning to 147, which took him out of the running there, thanks to Mayweather being willing to fight at the higher weight. Cotto has not fought as a welterweight since November 2009, his first fight against Pacquiao.
This means that Pacquiao will almost certainly face Timothy Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas. Cotto was Pacquiao's first choice, but the weight issues killed the fight.
0 recs | 18 comments
Better than the Canelo fight IMO
glad to see Cotto get one more big payday, and even better that its at 154 so he won’t be drained.
Still don’t give much of a chance to win though.
StillUnknown - February 1, 2012
I like it better than Canelo right now, too — later this year I’m down for Floyd vs Canelo, especially if Floyd is comfortable at 154, which means Canelo won’t kill himself trying to burn off pounds he really can’t shed anymore.
Scott Christ - February 1, 2012
Indeed
The Canelo fight will always be there, Cotto has a shorter shelf life.
StillUnknown - February 1, 2012
i love this fight one i believe i said i hoped would happen after the margo fight on here. anyways theres lots of exciting fights out there imo from the whole mayweather pacquaio situation if theyre not gonna get it on and this is proof. cotto fighting mayweather, bradley fighting pacquaio ok the second is not as exciting but i think will be a big clash, and from that we are apparently looking at peterson marquez, well who is khan gonna fight, ortiz maybe? dont forget berto in the grand scheme when he makes a return and with that list of talent after this round of fights, what else is in store for these potential match ups man, just wish these guys didnt have promoters….
sparky_mufc - February 1, 2012
Great fight IMO
Frank Lee - February 1, 2012
Guess i’m the only one that doesn’t care for this though I DO like Miguel Cotto.
Conspiracy Theory: Booked Cotto because he knew he could pull the PR population into ordering the fight and get that money.
Krimson - February 1, 2012
That’s not a conspiracy, it’s a business move.
Scott Christ - February 1, 2012
Here’s why Cotto’s getting the fight:
1. He’s really good and a star on his own.
2. He has a real audience
3. They can put Canelo at Staples again if they want to, same PPV.
4. He’s a lot better for this fight than Robert Guerrero.
5. He probably can’t win.
Scott Christ - February 1, 2012
all your pieces are correct and with number 5…can anyone beat mayweather aside from maybe sergio at 154 and pac at 147..again i say maybe
Vicmatic1 - February 1, 2012
I think Mayweather is a better counter puncher than Sergio. And it hurts to admit that.
Krimson - February 1, 2012
better maybe, but different nonetheless. Styles make fights. Sergio is not much slower, and uses his feet way more, and his size/strength advantage would be apparent and help to make it a fun fight. But with all the talk of “legitimate non-catchweight fights” then Floyd should just move up to 160 and challenge for the middleweight title Hagler Hearns style. Pc!
cylee1180 - February 1, 2012
Really, really looking forward to this fight. And once again, Floyd snubs Manny on signing a popular opponent (Floyd Mosley vs. Pac Clottey, Floyd Ortiz vs. Pac Marquez… okay, I’m not sure about the 2nd one, but the 1st one was def. more popular than the Clottey fight). Offense vs. defense baby!
cylee1180 - February 1, 2012
Stylistically this could make for a fun fight imo!
cylee1180 - February 1, 2012
Pacquiao-Marquez wound up outperforming Floyd-Ortiz in basically every way.
Scott Christ - February 1, 2012
I meant pre fight in finding dangerous/marketable opponents…
cylee1180 - February 1, 2012
Apparently they did well enough pre-fight that they outdrew the Ortiz bout in every measure
Scott Christ - February 1, 2012
Is the Peterson JMM fight on? That would produce a good trifecta. Even potential losers can still recover and do good fights… JMM vs. Bradley, Peterson Pacquiao, Peterson Bradley… All good… throw Khan and and Ortiz in the mix we’ll get fun fights…
cylee1180 - February 1, 2012
i wonder what top rank thinks of this
Vicmatic1 - February 1, 2012
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