The bite that came from the snake that was Mayweather v Pacquiao did almost irreversible damage to boxing. People may label it as ?one for the purists? but in reality it was embellished, lifeless chess, what boxing might look like if it was being performed via interruptive dance. The real killer, the venom that coursed through this bite, was the financial absurdity that surrounded the fight. The average ticket was $6,268, pay-per-view cost $100. It was the ultimate insult to the waning boxing fan.
Red told Andy some wise words in The Shawshank Redemption.
??Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.?
Boxing fans may heed these words but it won?t stop the excitement for what is set to be the bout of the year in Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez. It is predicted to be the biggest par-per-view fight since that bore fest.
It is never justifiable to ignore Morgan Freeman, but maybe on this occasion we can justify being hopeful. They were scheduled to fight for the middleweight title. However Cotto was stripped of his belt because he refused to pay the $300,000 sanctioning fee so now only Alvarez can win the title.
It has the rich backstory that fight fans tend to require. Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry. Originally the pair were supposed to face off in 2012, but Cotto suffered a major upset and lost the chance. In his career he has lost to Pacquiao and Mayweather, as well as Antonio Margarito. He sought comfort in the arms of Freddie Roach who rejuvenated his career to the level it is at now.
The contrast between his style and Mayweather?s was evident when they fought each other. Cotto is doggedly aggressive, pounding at his opponent and throwing a deadly left hook. His younger opponent Alaverz also chases foes, has a strong chin and is also capable of counter-punching. In many ways it?s a perfect cocktail.
Cotto is the underdog at 5/2, but may receive a significant amount of support for his ?greed has to stop? stance on his fee. Whilst an admirable stance it is also a wonderfully effective promotion tool as it gets people talking about the fight. Perhaps even an ingenious promotive tool to counter the apathy amidst boxing currently. They fight early Sunday morning and could be the critically required antidote for any fair-weather boxing fans.
