Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto Preview: Miguel Cotto will be up next for the cool $30 million that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will cash when he faces the 154 Lb. belt holder May 5th in Vegas. The 31-year old Puerto Rican, Cotto, 37-3, 30 KO?s, is coming off a confidence building 10th round stoppage over nemesis Antonio Margarito and is 3-0 under trainer Emanuel Steward. After flattening Victor Ortiz with a sucker punch 6 months ago, Mayweather Jr., 42-0, 26 KO?s, is a 6-1 favorite over Cotto as he continues to dance around Manny Pacquiao. Below is a closer look at this superfight from a pro handicapper?s perspective.
The Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto Preview Line is Mayweather -700 Cotto +500
Floyd Mayweather: The pound-4-pound co-champ still does not appear to have lost a step despite being 35-years old and having long stretches of inactivity. The master boxer/counterpuncher is smart as a whip and sharp as a razor blade with impeccable timing, speed, defense and conditioning. Mayweather has a full toolbox with in-fighting skills, a brutal jab to the head or body and every punch in the book with sniper accuracy. Floyd?s legs are not quite what they once were but his style now allows him to throw with more pop now by sitting down on punches. Mayweather?s chin is above-average but Mosley proved that Mayweather?s chin can be had.
Miguel Cotto: The 154 Lb. belt holder is 3-0 with 3 KO?s training with Manny Steward and appears to have regained some of his old swagger since the Antonio Margarito beat down almost 4 years ago. Cotto is not the feared body snatcher that he once was but he is very athletic, experienced and technically sound. Cotto sets up his attacks with a stiff jab and follows with sizzling combos usually punctuated by a left hook. Cotto has the versatility to box, slug or counter and nowadays does his best work on his toes ripping shots. Miguel carries his power into the late rounds and his conditioning is top-flight. Cotto has a good chin but he is susceptible to cuts and his defense has a few holes.
8 Count Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto Preview 1-10 Handicapping Scale
Mayweather/Cotto
Power: 7/8
Speed: 10/7
Stamina: 10/9
Defense: 10/7
Chin/Body: 8/8
Agility/Footwork: 7/8
Jab/Reach: 9/8
Bodypunching/In-Fighting: 9/8
Intelligence/Focus: 10/8
Size/Physicality: 6/7
Overall Handicapping Edge: Floyd Mayweather Jr. +8 Handicapping Edge
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto Preview 8 Count Line: Floyd May weather -500
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto Preview Vegas Line: Floyd May weather -700
