Lives intertwined: Cotto, Mayweather and Pacquiao (Photo:HBO)
Regardless of what anyone says, the upcoming Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto clash is about more than just the two fighters inside of the ring. Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s impact on the bout has been well documented, as people abound are buzzing about the possibility of the Grand Rapids native squaring off with the evening’s eventual winner.
Following his September 19th schooling of Juan Manuel Marquez, Mayweather has found a way to remain in the headlines at all costs, even at Pacquiao’s expense. Most recently the two men traded verbal barbs with one another, with the Filipino claiming Floyd had no interest in fighting him, while Mayweather went another route altogether in stating that the Philippines produced the best enhancement drugs, an obvious knock on Pacquiao.
While the battle of the tongue has served for interesting banter, before a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao clash can become a reality there is work that needs to be done. Pacquiao’s November 14th assignment against Cotto is certainly no walk in the park and the outcome of the bout will most likely affect how Mayweather’s career plays itself out from this point forward. One man who has had much time to analyze the bout and its surrounding characters is Mayweather’s uncle Jeff, one of the busiest trainers in the Las Vegas area. When taking a look at Cotto’s current state, Jeff is somewhat skeptical of how much the Puerto Rican can bring to the table.
“Basically it’s a situation where Cotto has been in a lot of tough fights.” Mayweather points out. “He’s been in some wars. He’s been busted up in recent fights so I’m not sure how his skin is going to hold up for this fight. Don’t get me wrong. It’s unfortunate what happened in the Margarito fight. Maybe just getting beat lessened him as a fighter. The same velocity and power that he had prior to his fight with Margarito just isn’t there. It’s sad that he was cheated out of it instead of rightfully being beaten.”
Using the word cheat is a bold accusation but one that Mayweather doesn’t shy away from. While Margarito was caught with elements of plaster of paris in his gloves before his bout with Shane Mosley earlier this year, there was no such proof that he had ‘loaded gloves’ for the Cotto fight. Despite not having any real evidence to go off of, Mayweather still believes that something was up when Margarito was in the ring with Cotto.
“Its one of those things in boxing that you get away with what you are doing wrong until you get caught,” Mayweather says bluntly. “I think that the Margarito situation is the same. It seems like to me that Cotto was having his way with this guy and all of sudden the tables just turned, almost like it was scripted like Pro Wrestling. Just seemed so bizarre to me and I feel that Cotto was most likely cheated out of a rightful victory.”
It may never been known whether Margarito cheated against Cotto but the outcome will never be in doubt, as Cotto took a tremendous amount of punishment on his way towards an 11th round TKO loss. While that defeat has seemed to take something out of the Caguas native Mayweather still believes that Cotto has a lot of fight left in him.
“Once a fighter suffers a loss like that they are never the same,” Mayweather points out. “That was the case with Ricky Hatton, Jermain Taylor, Jeff Lacy, and the list goes on and on. Some guys just are never the same. I feel that Cotto isn’t the same but I don’t think he’s a finished fighter. He’s far from finished.”
The attention was then turned to Manny Pacquiao and the relevance of his recent wins over Oscar De La Hoya and Hatton. In both contests Pacquiao battered bigger man in shocking fashion, raising his status in the game to an all-time high. While those victories cemented Pacquiao’s standing as the sport’s hottest commodity, Mayweather isn’t as quick to jump on the wagon.
“Manny Pacquiao has had two big wins recently but they were guys who Floyd already beat,” Mayweather states, paying some respect to his nephew, who had beaten both men prior. “After Mayweather beat Hatton he wasn’t the same. He looked horrible after that fight. Ricky Hatton was never a great fighter anyway. I also think he went in there with the wrong mindset against Pacquiao. Just because he was the bigger man he felt that he could just bum rush Manny. That was the wrong strategy and the fight was over before it got started.”
Hatton’s strategy was indeed wrong but you can’t deny how electric Pacquiao’s performance was. Against De la Hoya Pacquiao was impressive in a different manner, as he picked apart the multi-division titlist like a surgeon. While the performance was beyond noteworthy, Mayweather again can’t fully buy into the hype.
“De La Hoya came into that fight at 145 pounds, a weight that he hadn’t made in twelve years,” Jeff notes. “He fought a drained fighter. When Floyd fought De La Hoya he fought him at his weight, 154 pounds. That’s what some people don’t realize.”
When weight comes into play it should be mentioned that Mayweather Jr. himself had weight issues in his last contest, as he came in two pounds over the contracted catch-weight limit of 144 pounds against Marquez. Instead of trying to make the weight, Floyd made a calculated move, giving up $600,000 to the side of Marquez instead of trying to burn off the excess pounds. While you will come across very few people willing to part with more than half a million dollars, Jeff feels his nephew made the right move.
“I think he did the right thing,” Jeff says with firm belief. “Of course that is a lot of money to give away but at the end of the day he was trying to maintain his legacy and he did what was right. He might not have been able to perform at a high level if he had to lose the weight. I think he did what was right and necessary.”
If Mayweather is to continue doing what’s right and necessary in the sport he will hopefully square off with the winner of Pacquiao-Cotto, as either matchup would be one the fans are open to. While nobody truly knows what ‘Money’ Mayweather is up to on a day to day basis, Jeff certainly feels that he nephew will be watching the contest with a close eye on November 14th.
“I think that he is basically going to be watching and waiting for either one of them to win,” Jeff says stating the obvious. “Basically he is going to mentally prepare himself for whoever wins. He knows that if Pacquiao wins the fight would be huge, much bigger than if Cotto were to win.”
Huge seems like a fitting word when describing the recent impact Pacquiao has had on the sport. Still, while a win over Cotto would only enhance his career it would be hard to imagine him getting any more love or adoration than he already does in his native Philippines. Every once in while in the sport a fighter captures the attention of the masses through his accomplishments and Pacquiao is currently on such a run. When asked his thoughts on the undying loyalty that Pacquiao has received, Mayweather seems to just shrug his shoulders.
“It’s ridiculous but at the same time it’s not because you’re talking about a guy from a third world county,” Mayweather says as he states the facts. “His people really love him plus you have to factor in that he’s already a marketable guy. I’m honestly not surprised at all of the attention he gets. Sometimes it almost seems like Manny Pacquiao against the world.”
On November 14th the Filipino superstar won’t have to worry about facing the world but he will be locking horns with a tremendous fighter in Miguel Cotto. For all the talk surrounding the fight and its surrounding drama, everything will hopefully come to a climax when the two get down to business. While the fight has many factors and intangibles to weigh in on, Mayweather is simply going off of his gut instinct when stating that an upset may be brewing.
“To be honest it’s a very tough fight to pick. I think that if Cotto makes the weight without any trouble I believe he gives himself a great chance of actually winning the fight. I think that of course Cotto has the advantage in size and power but Pacquiao has the big advantage in speed. Lately Cotto’s defense has become suspect. Cotto is also very economical and doesn’t let his hands go a lot and he may need to change that up against Pacquiao. For some reason lately I’ve been leaning towards Cotto. I still think he’s a very live fighter."
Chris Robinson is a freelance journalist based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He tries to remain objective as possible in all of his articles, putting any personal agendas or bias off to the side. He can be reached at AceFreitas2001@yahoo.com and www.FaceBook.com/CRHarmony. More of his articles can be found by clicking the links below.
The Daily Grind: Pacquiao-Cotto Directory, Dawson-Johnson II, Judah's Return and more
Harold Lederman remembers the electricity of Pacquiao-Hatton
Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7, Episode 1 Highlights and Quotes
Pacquiao-Cotto: Counting down the numbers
The Daily Grind: Pacquiao-Cotto, Froch-Dirrell, Frias on ShoBox, and more...
Harold Lederman Remembers the Atmosphere of Cotto-Judah
Live From the Fight Factory: Trainer Pete Fernandez Picks Cotto to Stop Pacquiao in Nine
All around Class: Boxing Manager Cameron Dunkin Speaks on the Amazing Stories of Pacquiao and Cotto
No Hard Feelings: 'Gato' Figueroa speaks on his early dismissal from Camp Cotto
Other Side of the Coin: HBO Judge Harold Lederman turns his attention to Miguel Cotto
Comments
watch pacquiao on jimmy kimmel show. hilarious, it shows how really humble he was.
I don't believe you people!!! Does it also mean that because Pacquiao lost to Morales he has also become a beatable fighter??? KICK your fighters like hATTON AND dELA Hoya and Cotto who can't recover anymore from a LOSS!!!
Just wait for the K.O. against Cotto and MAYWEATHER will be next!!! It doesn't mean that because Floyd is an AMERICAN he then becomes the greatest threat!!! Liar!!!
yes , the 3 are intertwined because Pacman will give them a beating they can't forget.
fraud mayweather has no major advertising company. pacman and cotto has a lot because company believes in their ability, courage and work ethics that people can follow. mayweather envies pacman and cotto since no advertisers wants to be associated with his fraud and foul mouth family.
The Mayweathers are very quick in making bold accusations they have no proof but "Money" buying out 2 lbs to cheat Marquez to ensure a win for them is doing the right thing! It shows the level of irrational mentality the Mayweathers have.
i haven't been posting, been busy. used all the welfare checks that i've saved up and embezzled from the US govt. to have a sex-change operation.
i'll be posting at Jenn The Rican from now on.
Qoute from Jeff Matweather...“I think that he is basically going to be watching and waiting for either one of them to win,” Jeff says stating the obvious. “Basically he is going to mentally prepare himself for whoever wins. He knows that if Pacquiao wins the fight would be huge, much bigger than if Cotto were to win.”
All I can say is..." LIAR " , PBF will not fight whoever wins.
Am pretty sure he'll pick someone smaller and pay again for the
extra pounds. No point in losing that precious "0" loss.
i want manny to finish cotto early so that his next fight to mayweather will be ironed as soon as possible... i can't wait to see this f@#*ing guy with nose and mouth bleeding...
“I think he did the right thing,” Jeff says with firm belief. “Of course that is a lot of money to give away but at the end of the day he was trying to maintain his legacy and he did what was right. He might not have been able to perform at a high level if he had to lose the weight. I think he did what was right and necessary.”
That said it all. Mayweather clan is big disgrace in this sport.
Pacman SCHOOLED David, DLH, Hatton and next would be Cotto on the eve of 11/14/2009. Floyd would be forced to hide back in his closet as a defensive fighter..like a puppy with a tail between his legs, ngeek, ngeek, ngeek!!. Mosley, Berto or even Cory Spinks would be next..or whoever would stand in front of the Pacman. Pacman would chop chop them one by one like a tree used for lumber..the'll fall and retire one by one like a Timbbbbbbbbeeerrr!!!.
Gayweather boast of being undefeated in 40 fights....while Pacman has 3 defeats in 50+ fights...... give the gayrunner 10 more fights against top welterweights (Pacquiao, Mosley, Cotto, Margarito, etc.) and he'll definitely suffer a loss.........
STOP PICKING FIGHTS GAYWEATHER!!!
Lets all see the fight Mayweather and Pacman!!
Isn't that cheating when mayweather went two pounds above the agreed cathweight when he fought Marquez? A dirty tactic just to insure he would win the fight considering he was fighting the guy two weight division lower than him and claimed he is fighting the best? I just don't understand why sports writers give credit to this kind of fighter and voted him back as the number one pound for pound king according to yahoo sports. Good thing for the ring magazine they change their rating later.
"...I’m honestly not surprised at all of the attention he gets. Sometimes it almost seems like Manny Pacquiao against the world.” Fraud Gayweather is not only AFRAID of Manny Pacquiao--he is jealous of him. JEALOUS!
To CHEAT just to maintain a legacy of NO DEFEAT is ABSURD!
WHO FLOYD CHEAT? HIS FANS, WRITERS, HISTORIANS AND HIMSELF! POOR PEOPLE YOU STILL SUPPORT FLOYD EVENTHOUGH HIS A CHEATER!
WELL... SHALL WE SAY: BIRDS OF THE SAFE FEATHER FLOCKS TOGETHER"?
The writer thinks that mayweather is on top of this fight, That mayweather is the champion and waiting for his opponent of whos gonna win pacman cotto fight. Your wrong mister! Mayweather ducks! This is a fight between the brave trustworthy and elite warriors.
speed will matter in this upcoming pacman vs cotto encounter. cotto will be in great shape as well as manny. But both fighters agreed to meet in 145lbs., something that Team Cotto is solving right now. on the other side, Team Pacman won't be getting a lot of problem solving when it comes to the weight.
On their previous fights, Cotto was a little bit slower and defenseless when he fought Joshua Clottey, if Clottey was never been down on the first round, the fight could have been a draw. Pacquiao's performance against a fresh and young Ricky Hatton was superb. A KO in the second round that sents Hitman unconcious in the canvas.
Now, Cotto vs Clottey match was at 147 lbs. Pacman vs Hitman was at 140lbs.
Cotto was a little bit weak with his encounter with Clottey, how much more with Manny at 145?
Try to ponder it out?
GAY weather boxer is the most cheater in this world,he pay a lot pay HBO to release in the media that he got 1 million PPV against MARQUEZ,who beleive in you may be your uncle GORILLA living behind the bar,you are it seems that you too much jelous with PACMAN...."TO BE SIMPLE IS TO BE GREAT"that is PACMAN PAQUIAO showing to the world
Cheating is never a good legacy. Mayweather lost his self-respect. All my respect on him were all gone to the winds by that single moment of cheating on an opponent. He the bigger one cheating on the smaller one??? That's simply unacceptable. IMMORAL and INDECENT. PBF should now retire and leave boxing alone. He does not deserve to stay any minute longer. HE is a cheat. period.
as long as maywearther doesn't fight PACMAN his conscience always be disturb of JEALOUS... he need to prove himself as a boxer in boxing world...
“It’s ridiculous but at the same time it’s not because you’re talking about a guy from a third world county,His people really love him plus you have to factor in that he’s already a marketable guy. I’m honestly not surprised at all of the attention he gets. Sometimes it almost seems like Manny Pacquiao against the world."
wow, are you jealous mr. wanted gayweather? african american, pa third world third world ka pa dyan! Unggoy!
Mayweather think he is the draw and he used it to avoid Pacquaio.
Oh...Is that pacman in swiss,nike,and etc....advertsmnt wow!!!! wers floyd by the way....ah okey his in the kingdom of nahh..you know where I mean.....who is the king of the "j_gle" ? hu hu hu who is the king of the sea? splash.... Jealousy is mortal sin....
By the way...cotto and pacman got nice shadow combimation in the middle picture, nice picture dude!!!!!did anybody turn off the fire!!!!!
.dudes its a gameplan. .its like chess where you have to sacrifice something in order to gain much more. .team pbf is good in their strategies. .i still dont wanna see pacman pbf. .i wanna see a pbf jmm rematch. .jmm was 2 weight class below. .and hes not used to 144 I think if gets a lot of training in 144 or 145 jmm could beat him.
mayweather you cheating monkey !! ur such a disgrace to our race!!!!!
Wow that was a decent article chris.....jeffs right if f a g u i a o wins a mayweather/f a g u i a o clash would be huge....... but if cotto were to win it wouln't be so big.....something tells me cottos going to be too much for f a g u i a o.......and the fight that everyone wants to see is never going to happen......either way im down for whatever....bring on cotto
Personally I don't agree with what Jeff Mayweatheway of thinking "Once a fighter suffers alost they'r never thesame.But that's fine thats the way he sees things and everybody is entitled to his opinion.But from the watchful eye of boxing experts and critics who knows the difference between a good boxer and great boxers a loss is just a loss.Even the great Mohammed Ali suffers numbers of losses during his days.Great fighters can surpass and overcome losses.Pacman suffers three losses but able to manage and overcome from it because he posses the qualities of the GREAT ONES.A boxer who is not the same upon a loss is merely a good boxer,A boxer who suffered loss and still manages to surpass all the challenge he's certainly among the GREATS.
what a shame for gayweather
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