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I wrote this on wednesday while taking a class at the University, but hadn't posted it since I hadn't exactly finished it. My take on the match-ups that would make boxing big in 2008...even though we just witnessed one of the big fights yesterday last night.
Cotto/Mayweather-Although there is a lot of talk about Mayweather not wanting to fight Cotto, whether it be that Floyd’s not really interested or due to his disliking towards Arum, a fight of this magnitude would be an interesting match-up between 2 big welterweights, assuming Mayweather defeats Hatton, a power puncher who strikes to the body. It would mean that people would start to believe that Mayweather could decision Cotto, who has a similar style to Hatton and most likely to lead to a decision in favor of Mayweather, which is the most possible path to victory for “Pretty Boy” Floyd if he should beat Hatton. He would remain undefeated, defeating another undefeated champion, and then go on to face another tough opponent netting him millions more in another Pay-Per-View fight.
Cotto, on the other hand would mean defeating Mosley, who is currently believed to be THE boxer that can defeat Floyd Mayweather. It is said that Mosley is nearly everything that Mayweather is, with the exception that he has more power. Theoretically, Cotto defeating Mosley would lead people to believe, contrary to Mayweather’s victory factors, that he could defeat Floyd. It would be absolutely shocking to see Mosley knocked out and it would further solidify the belief that not only will Floyd be defeated, but instead knocked out.
However, nothing is ever certain especially in boxing. One can be winning a fight only to be knocked out in a single punch: Tiger/Foster, Walcott/Marciano, etc. It’s also mere speculation that if Cotto beats Mosley, he’ll beat Mayweather. In boxing, the “A>B>C, therefore A>C” doesn’t necessarily work. Let’s take a look at 3 big former heavyweight champions: Frazier, Foreman, Ali. First, Frazier defeated Ali, Foreman defeated Frazier and Ali defeated Foreman. Just because one beats the other doesn’t mean one is absolutely inferior. Secondly, we wouldn’t be able to apply this theory even if it were true (A>B>C, therefore A>C) since Floyd hasn’t fought either.
The reason I emphasize this is because boxing is a lot of theory.
Mayorga (x2)>Forrest>Mosley, therefore Mayorga>Mosley (not likely)
Frazier>Ali>Foreman, therefore Frazier>Foreman (FALSE)
Of course, we know that now since these 3 fought each other. Again, I reiterate, Cotto/Mayweather would certainly be a humongous fight. It would surely sell-out Madison Square Garden, bring 2 undefeated champions together.
For Cotto, a shot to gain other titles against the pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter and long reigning champion. If victorious, he would become an instant celebrity and an icon in Puerto Rico.
For Mayweather, further respect from praisers and newfound faith from those who never believed. He would then only have to deal with a couple more contenders to be undeniably respected, but in my opinion he is a tremendous boxer already.
Cotto/Hatton- Now this is sure to be a barn-burner as well. Just as the Cotto/Mayweather possibility, it would bring two undefeated champions together. Cotto may not be well-known in England, buy by this stage it is my belief that England would be tuning in to watch stateside fights and ponder who Ricky’s next opponent would be. Once Cotto is confirmed, the fight would sell itself based on the fact that USA would tune in to watch, as this would be a big fight in the country where boxing has a long history of popularity. Puertorricans are rabid crowds and it would sell-out Madison Square Garden, but given the fact that Cotto’s done it so many times there, would the allure for more money be used by Brits in order to have Ricky Hatton fighting back in England, now as a bigger champ alongside Calzaghe? Would puertorricans flock to England in order to watch their champ fight in hostile territory? Regardless of the venue, we would have 3 races undoubtedly tuning in to watch (and there would be a major turnout from Brits and Puertorricans as they are very rabid fan bases).
Stylistically, there’s not much variation. But it wouldn’t be a boring fight, not by a long shot. The fight would pit two aggressors against each other, both favoring heavy shots to the body. It would probably be what Castillo-Hatton was supposed to be: an action-packed, drama-saturated fight with back and forth shots between both. The fight could gain just as much, if not more, attention than Mayweather/Hatton based on the fact that they very much beloved by their respective countries and their styles, more often that not, is based on power-punching. It would be an amazing fight that both sides would anticipate!
Cotto/Mayweather-Although there is a lot of talk about Mayweather not wanting to fight Cotto, whether it be that Floyd’s not really interested or due to his disliking towards Arum, a fight of this magnitude would be an interesting match-up between 2 big welterweights, assuming Mayweather defeats Hatton, a power puncher who strikes to the body. It would mean that people would start to believe that Mayweather could decision Cotto, who has a similar style to Hatton and most likely to lead to a decision in favor of Mayweather, which is the most possible path to victory for “Pretty Boy” Floyd if he should beat Hatton. He would remain undefeated, defeating another undefeated champion, and then go on to face another tough opponent netting him millions more in another Pay-Per-View fight.
Cotto, on the other hand would mean defeating Mosley, who is currently believed to be THE boxer that can defeat Floyd Mayweather. It is said that Mosley is nearly everything that Mayweather is, with the exception that he has more power. Theoretically, Cotto defeating Mosley would lead people to believe, contrary to Mayweather’s victory factors, that he could defeat Floyd. It would be absolutely shocking to see Mosley knocked out and it would further solidify the belief that not only will Floyd be defeated, but instead knocked out.
However, nothing is ever certain especially in boxing. One can be winning a fight only to be knocked out in a single punch: Tiger/Foster, Walcott/Marciano, etc. It’s also mere speculation that if Cotto beats Mosley, he’ll beat Mayweather. In boxing, the “A>B>C, therefore A>C” doesn’t necessarily work. Let’s take a look at 3 big former heavyweight champions: Frazier, Foreman, Ali. First, Frazier defeated Ali, Foreman defeated Frazier and Ali defeated Foreman. Just because one beats the other doesn’t mean one is absolutely inferior. Secondly, we wouldn’t be able to apply this theory even if it were true (A>B>C, therefore A>C) since Floyd hasn’t fought either.
The reason I emphasize this is because boxing is a lot of theory.
Mayorga (x2)>Forrest>Mosley, therefore Mayorga>Mosley (not likely)
Frazier>Ali>Foreman, therefore Frazier>Foreman (FALSE)
Of course, we know that now since these 3 fought each other. Again, I reiterate, Cotto/Mayweather would certainly be a humongous fight. It would surely sell-out Madison Square Garden, bring 2 undefeated champions together.
For Cotto, a shot to gain other titles against the pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter and long reigning champion. If victorious, he would become an instant celebrity and an icon in Puerto Rico.
For Mayweather, further respect from praisers and newfound faith from those who never believed. He would then only have to deal with a couple more contenders to be undeniably respected, but in my opinion he is a tremendous boxer already.
Cotto/Hatton- Now this is sure to be a barn-burner as well. Just as the Cotto/Mayweather possibility, it would bring two undefeated champions together. Cotto may not be well-known in England, buy by this stage it is my belief that England would be tuning in to watch stateside fights and ponder who Ricky’s next opponent would be. Once Cotto is confirmed, the fight would sell itself based on the fact that USA would tune in to watch, as this would be a big fight in the country where boxing has a long history of popularity. Puertorricans are rabid crowds and it would sell-out Madison Square Garden, but given the fact that Cotto’s done it so many times there, would the allure for more money be used by Brits in order to have Ricky Hatton fighting back in England, now as a bigger champ alongside Calzaghe? Would puertorricans flock to England in order to watch their champ fight in hostile territory? Regardless of the venue, we would have 3 races undoubtedly tuning in to watch (and there would be a major turnout from Brits and Puertorricans as they are very rabid fan bases).
Stylistically, there’s not much variation. But it wouldn’t be a boring fight, not by a long shot. The fight would pit two aggressors against each other, both favoring heavy shots to the body. It would probably be what Castillo-Hatton was supposed to be: an action-packed, drama-saturated fight with back and forth shots between both. The fight could gain just as much, if not more, attention than Mayweather/Hatton based on the fact that they very much beloved by their respective countries and their styles, more often that not, is based on power-punching. It would be an amazing fight that both sides would anticipate!
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