by James Slater – It is massively apparent to almost any fight fan. The only opponent out there that the unbeaten and quite superb Floyd Mayweather Junior needs to face is the also unbeaten and equally superb Miguel Cotto. This fight, to once and for all decide the 147 pound division’s supremacy – if not the pound-for-pound title’s – is simply one that HAS to be made. Seemingly, judging by “Pretty Boy” Floyd’s comments as of late, the only person opposed to such a meeting is the Grand Rapids native himself..
Ok, last night’s performance by Cotto, in which he all but did as he wanted against the incredibly gutsy, yet way overmatched Alfonso Gomez, did little to add to his reputation. But for a number of months now it has been clear that the awesome Puerto Rican is the only man out there at 147 pounds who is capable of possibly beating the great Floyd Mayweather. Now at his very peak it seems, and blessed with power, speed, physical strength and amazing stamina, Cotto seems the only man who is capable of taking Mayweather into the kind of deep waters “Pretty Boy” has never experienced before.
Yes, Floyd may well reach into himself and win, but don’t we as boxing fans deserve the chance to see if he actually can do so? Not only that, but doesn’t Mayweather’s legacy need the name of a conquered Miguel Cotto among its victims to prove without doubt Floyd’s greatness as the best fighter of his generation? We know it does. Not only that, but deep down, Floyd does too.
Rematches with the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton may be good news for Mayweather’s bank manager, but they are not productive in terms of his fan base or his overall impact on the sport in which he has chosen to excel. Cotto is reportedly going to get it on with the teak-tough Antonio Margarito next (another fighter Floyd has seemingly no interest in facing, by the way). Hopefully, with no possible excuse to be made by Floyd if the new star of Puerto Rico wins that one, we will see the welterweight showdown all of boxing wants to see some time in the early months of 2009.
Let’s be clear here: Mr. Mayweather, Mr. Cotto and boxing fans the world over deserve nothing less!