If there has been any hint of vulnerability linked to the outcome of a Floyd Mayweather Jr. bout, it was in his only fight above the welterweight division. When Mayweather fought Oscar De La Hoya five years ago, he faced the now-retired, six-division world champion at the 154-pound, junior-middleweight class.
Mayweather defeated De La Hoya for his fifth division world title, yet for the only time in Mayweather?s career, a judge saw him lose a fight. De La Hoya applied pressure early but faded in the second half of the fight as Mayweather won a split decision. Months after defeating De La Hoya, Mayweather relinquished his junior-middleweight title and returned to the welterweights.
On Saturday night, Mayweather again will navigate junior-middleweight waters. Mayweather, still recognized as welterweight titleholder by one of the major sanctioning bodies, will fight World Boxing Association 154-pound champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas (9 p.m., pay-per-view).
?I am aware that I will be moving up in weight for the first time since 2007, which not only poses a challenge for me, but it does give Cotto a slight advantage because he will remain at his comfort weight of 154,? Mayweather said.
The bout will be Mayweather?s first since his fourth-round knockout win over Victor Ortiz that earned him a second welterweight title. With his much-discussed potential bout with Manny Pacquiao remaining an illusion, Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) opted for arguably the sport?s third-best pay-per-view attraction.
?I know Cotto will be a very hard fight,? Mayweather said. ?He is at a place in his career where he is confident and experienced. And I know that, because he is fighting me, this is the biggest fight he has ever had. Those factors always make a fighter dangerous and might be the most important part of what he is bringing to the ring that night.?
A former junior welterweight and welterweight titleholder, Cotto (37-2, 30 KOs) has won three consecutive fights since his 12th-round TKO loss against Pacquiao in 2009. In his previous bout last December, Cotto avenged his only other loss when he stopped Antonio Margarito in nine rounds.
Understandably, Cotto basked in his dominant performance against Margarito. Cotto believed Margarito had used doctored hand wraps in their first fight four years ago, when Margarito scored an 11th-round TKO.
?I have grown as a fighter and proven that the [first Margarito] fight does not define me,? Cotto said. ?I am stronger, faster and more engaged in knowing what it takes to win a fight.?
But, as he did with De La Hoya, Mayweather is intent on ending another 154-pound champion?s reign.
?One thing that the success of my career has thrived on is the fact that I?m willing to challenge myself, understand what my opponent brings to the ring and take full advantage of it,? Mayweather said.
?I am too smart, experienced and determined to let anyone beat me.?
Hopkins loses
Chad Dawson won the World Boxing Council light-heavyweight title with a majority decision against Bernard Hopkins late Saturday in Atlantic City. Dawson (31-1) overcame a deep cut to his left eye caused by an accidental clash of heads and won the fight on two judges? scorecards, 117-111. The third judge scored it 114-114. Hopkins, 47, is now 52-6-2.
? Unbeaten Miami residents Yudel Jhonson and Rances Barthelemy will appear on the same card May 11 in Las Vegas. Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs) will fight Freddy Hernandez in a scheduled 10-round junior-middleweight bout, while Barthelemy (15-0) will face Aalan Martinez in a junior-lightweight fight scheduled for eight rounds.
