Tweet
Ok I see a lot of people posting about how Cotto and Bradley add up as opponents to Floyd and Pacquiao. Cotto was not a good opponent for Pacquiao for June and is considered a decent opponent for Floyd. I can understand why many feel this is a double standard but if you look a little deeper it makes sense.You could even say that Bradley would have been a questionable opponent for Floyd but is a decent opponent of Pacquiao. This would also be correct.
Lets look at Pacquiao Bradley first. When Pacquiao made his rise in weight he defeated Ricky Hatton for a title at 140lbs. In the aftermath many felt that Bradley was a more difficult style match up and that Pacquiao should have cleaned out the division since there was talent there. Well here is Tim Bradley, still undefeated, still with the same style, and facing Pacquiao after Manny has looked a little more vulnerable than we are used to seeing in recent years. Whats there to complain about? This is not to say Bradley will win but he is a quality opponent that may be difficult. He is also a high risk low reward type of fight. Boxing fans should appreciate this.
Now if Floyd were facing Bradley the feeling would be different. Floyd's critics have often complained when he has fought at welterweight against foes that were not accustomed to competing there. Bradley would fall into that category. Bradley is of world class skill level however due to the styles its not very likely people would be enthusiastic about his chances in a Mayweather match-up. This could change if Bradley is impressive against Pacquiao of course. The fight makes more sense for Pacquiao as it stands today.
Next lets look at Cotto against Mayweather. This is a fight that should have taken place after Cotto defeated Shane Mosley. Many have clamored for it for years. The biggest criticism for the fight is that Cotto has suffered two difficult losses and in some aspects is no longer the same fighter. Both fair criticisms. There also those who complain about Cotto being looked at as a terrible opponent for Pacquiao but acceptable for Floyd. Again due to the styles Cotto makes more sense as an opponent for Floyd. Cotto still has elements to his game that can make this potential match-up interesting. Also after defeating some past demons this past December in his TKO victory over Antonio Margarito, Cotto may in fact have a confidence we have not seen from him recently. That remains to be seen though. Again this is not to say that at this stage Miguel Cotto will defeat Floyd Mayweather but his selection as an opponent is solid.
The reason that a Pacquiao match-up with Cotto does not spark an interest is because the first fight in all honesty was not that competitive. Sure Cotto had some moments when he employed his jab but there was not much there to make most feel that he would be able to pull off the upset if given a second chance. Perhaps he would be more competitive now with a solid trainer and the opportunity to review the success Juan Manuel Marquez had against Pacquiao this November. Still pulling off the upset seems a bit far fetched.
The bottom line is different opponents can make for different challenges. With what we saw with Pacquiao and Marquez in November would anyone be excited to see a Floyd Mayweather vs Juan Manuel Marquez rematch? Very doubtful. Yet Marquez would still remain as a legit opponent for Pacquiao.The fights we will see in both May and June are quality fights. Though the world awaits the day we get to see the two best fighters in the world face each other, we should not downplay when they select quality opposition. Timothy Bradley and Miguel Cotto will be underdogs and rightfully so. That does not mean they are not legit opponents and to a certain degree risky.
Lets look at Pacquiao Bradley first. When Pacquiao made his rise in weight he defeated Ricky Hatton for a title at 140lbs. In the aftermath many felt that Bradley was a more difficult style match up and that Pacquiao should have cleaned out the division since there was talent there. Well here is Tim Bradley, still undefeated, still with the same style, and facing Pacquiao after Manny has looked a little more vulnerable than we are used to seeing in recent years. Whats there to complain about? This is not to say Bradley will win but he is a quality opponent that may be difficult. He is also a high risk low reward type of fight. Boxing fans should appreciate this.
Now if Floyd were facing Bradley the feeling would be different. Floyd's critics have often complained when he has fought at welterweight against foes that were not accustomed to competing there. Bradley would fall into that category. Bradley is of world class skill level however due to the styles its not very likely people would be enthusiastic about his chances in a Mayweather match-up. This could change if Bradley is impressive against Pacquiao of course. The fight makes more sense for Pacquiao as it stands today.
Next lets look at Cotto against Mayweather. This is a fight that should have taken place after Cotto defeated Shane Mosley. Many have clamored for it for years. The biggest criticism for the fight is that Cotto has suffered two difficult losses and in some aspects is no longer the same fighter. Both fair criticisms. There also those who complain about Cotto being looked at as a terrible opponent for Pacquiao but acceptable for Floyd. Again due to the styles Cotto makes more sense as an opponent for Floyd. Cotto still has elements to his game that can make this potential match-up interesting. Also after defeating some past demons this past December in his TKO victory over Antonio Margarito, Cotto may in fact have a confidence we have not seen from him recently. That remains to be seen though. Again this is not to say that at this stage Miguel Cotto will defeat Floyd Mayweather but his selection as an opponent is solid.
The reason that a Pacquiao match-up with Cotto does not spark an interest is because the first fight in all honesty was not that competitive. Sure Cotto had some moments when he employed his jab but there was not much there to make most feel that he would be able to pull off the upset if given a second chance. Perhaps he would be more competitive now with a solid trainer and the opportunity to review the success Juan Manuel Marquez had against Pacquiao this November. Still pulling off the upset seems a bit far fetched.
The bottom line is different opponents can make for different challenges. With what we saw with Pacquiao and Marquez in November would anyone be excited to see a Floyd Mayweather vs Juan Manuel Marquez rematch? Very doubtful. Yet Marquez would still remain as a legit opponent for Pacquiao.The fights we will see in both May and June are quality fights. Though the world awaits the day we get to see the two best fighters in the world face each other, we should not downplay when they select quality opposition. Timothy Bradley and Miguel Cotto will be underdogs and rightfully so. That does not mean they are not legit opponents and to a certain degree risky.
Comment