Expert: Lian Shoemake - 6/13/2008

Question
I was just wondering who would you think would win a fight between Miquel cotto and floyd mayweather if he had not retired?? thanks for your time!!

Answer
Hi Jack,
Thanks for the question.

I think this would have been a fascinating fight for a few reasons. First, I think Cotto would have been the strongest, most athletically gifted opponent Mayweather ever faced. Floyd rarely had to struggle in any bout, and never had to "dig deep" to gut out a victory. With Cotto, he would have to do both. On the other hand, Cotto has had some trouble with "sharp shooters' in the past, like Derrel Coley and Zab Judah. Both of those boxers had success in landing on and hurting Cotto early in their bouts, and Mayweather is surely a more talented and precise pugilist than either of them.
Having said all that, Cotto has shown the ability to weather any storm thus far, and use an underrated jab, uncanny strength, suprisingly effective defense and a seemingly steadier chin (at welterweight) to overcome all the obstacles he's faced thus far. Against Mosley last fall, he showed the class and patience of a long-time veteran and remained steady, even when the Sugar Man attacked late in the fight. I thought that fight was a draw, but Cotto seemed to grow in confidence as a result of it.
Clearly, I'm spending most of my time here writing about Cotto, and that's because the outcome of the fight would depend mostly on him. We know what Mayweather would do: jab from a safe distance, sharpshoot from mid-range, give angles and minimize punching opportunities for the opponent and string together swift combos when they're available.
My guess is that would lead him to an early lead, but Cotto's jab, defense and withering body shots would eventually turn the bout into something Mayweather rarely experienced, and never against such a daunting opponent: a real fight!
I'd have to go with Cotto in a welterweight fight had it been held this year...probably by a close but clear decision after 12.

What do you think?

Thanks again for writing, Jack.
Regards,
Lian