Patrick McDermott - Getty Images
Miguel Cotto must be taken seriously by Floyd Mayweather Jr, says Shane Mosley. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Only a handful of fighters have shared the ring with both Floyd Mayweather Jr and Miguel Cotto. One of those men is Shane Mosley, who will feature on the undercard against young Mexican titleholder Canelo Alvarez. And he tells BoxingScene.com that Mayweather had better be ready for a fight when he faces Cotto on May 5:
"Cotto is no slouch as well. Cotto can fight as well, and Mayweather better take him very seriously. It's a great fight. Floyd has the better boxing skills, but Cotto is no slouch. If you take Cotto for granted, then something else can happen and he could be the victor of that fight. I think that matchup is a great matchup. I think it’s a great fight."
Mayweather (42-0, 26 KO) and Cotto (37-2, 30 KO) will fight at the 154-pound limit on May 5, for Cotto's WBA "super" title. It will be just the second time that Mayweather, who turns 35 on February 24, has fought beyond the welterweight division.
Mosley lost a very competitive, memorable fight to Cotto back in November 2007, and about three years later was blown out by Mayweather at the MGM Grand. He fought both men at their best, or at least very close to their best -- before they started any notable decline, at the least. I would say that the Cotto who fought Shane Mosley was truly as good as Miguel Cotto got.
But Shane probably knows better than to have any true concern over Mayweather not being prepared. If Floyd showed up not at 100% on May 5, it would be the first time he's done so. There are valid reasons to wonder if he might be distracted, with his jail surrender date coming in June, but it's tough to imagine Floyd not being focused on a fight. It's what he lives for. It's where he validates himself and can truly shrug off any critic or "hater."
He'll be ready for Miguel Cotto.
0 recs | 6 comments
Pretty much what I was thinking. It’s easy to bad mouth Mayweather for his actions and moronic comments. But the man keeps himself in impeccable shape and always shows up in outstanding condition. If Floyd ever loses it won’t be cuz he’s not in shape
Eugene Banks - February 14, 2012
I believe Mayweather takes every opponent serious
Even if he’s a 40-1 favorite fighting in a stay busy, tune up fight. He understands that in boxing, or any other sport for that matter, that if you come in flat or not focused 100%, you could and should lose. And after 42 fights I dont believe he’s gonna turn lazy now.
Zfan - February 14, 2012
He is so determined to stay undefeated it’s hard to imagine him ever being less than 100% focused and ready to go.
Sammlung - February 14, 2012
I can’t believe he’s almost 35 already. It’s a damn shame he’s been so inactive the last 5 years…
Sammlung - February 14, 2012
Wish the odds were a little less far away. -600 is a rough bet to make on Mayweather, but if I had money to blow I’d blow lots of it on him.
RyanSexton - February 14, 2012
Some profoundly insightful information there, Shane.
Manuwar - February 16, 2012
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