WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather and WBA Super Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto will officially launch their promotional tour for their May 5th super fight in Las Vegas. The press tour will start Monday, February 27.
Although some insiders believe the bout will be compelling, few are picking Cotto.
Famed boxing trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas, like many, believe Mayweather will be too fast and skillful for the Puerto Rican fight legend. Atlas even went as far as saying he wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd Mayweather stopped a ‘game,’ and courageous, but outgunned, Cotto in the 8th or 9th Round.
Mayweather vs Cotto is expected to be one of the largest PPV telecasts ever as both fighters are accomplished, popular fight legends.
Floyd Mayweather’s Ups and Downs
As a result of Pacquiao’s less-than-titillating November performance against Marquez – a fighter Mayweather dominated two years prior – Floyd appeared to gain leverage in the ongoing public relations Mayweather-Pacquiao battle. In addition, he also appeared to get a boost, credibility-wise, after Arum and Pacquiao allegedly failed to consider fighting Mayweather on his proposed date, May 5.
In all fairness, Floyd Mayweather asked for a greater than 50% split, terms Manny Pacquiao and his promoter, Bob Arum, believed were unjust due to Manny’s international appeal and arguable ranking as boxing’s best fighter. However, even prior to Mayweather’s purse demands Arum initially shunned the idea of Mayweather fighting Pacquiao on May 5th, citing it wouldn’t be enough time for a Pacquiao cut, suffered in November, to heal. Pictured: Floyd Mayweather, left, and Miguel Cotto
The undefeated co-pound-for-pound king also received positive press for his string of large donations to charities in recent weeks, including his $100,000 USD gift to the Southern Nevada Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure (formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation). But just as Mayweather was rising in public opinion, the brash, controversial fighter’s public image was once again slammed when he downplayed the recent play of New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin. Since taking over as starting point guard, Lin, a virtual unknown to most NBA fans just a few months months ago, has taken the sports world by storm with his electrifying, record-setting play.
In response to Lin’s newfound fame, Floyd Mayweather Tweeted, “Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise.”
Afterwards, many expressed anger at Mayweather’s comment with some accusing him of being a racist.
Will Floyd Mayweather’s latest antics encourage or diminish interest in his upcoming bout? Either way, the Mayweather vs Cotto promotional tour now has added significance.
What Floyd Mayweather will say or do next – on or off the tour – is anybody’s guess. But one thing is for certain – He’ll be mainstream news at least until after his dust-up wth Miguel Cotto on May 5th.
MAYWEATHER VS. COTTO: TOUR DATES AND CITIES
Monday, February 27 | 2PM Coliseo De Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tuesday, February 28 | 1PM Famed Apollo Theater (253 West 125th Street) New York City
Thursday, March 1 | 1PM Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Hollywood, California
All events will be open to the public.
