17.12.07 – By Cesar Pancorvo: The biggest fight that could happen in 2008, without a doubt, is Miguel Cotto versus Floyd Mayweather….a Top10 P4P fighter against the P4P King, or the welterweight #1 contender against the Champion.
Let’s remember also that Mayweather should have two belts, and he’s Lineal/Ring Magazine Champion. Cotto has beat Ricardo Torres, Paul Malignaggi, Zab Judah, Sugar Shane Mosley, etc, but some boxing aficionados believe that he still needs one more test before he faces Money Mayweather –that final test, that would increase his fan base and catapult him to stardom, is Oscar de la Hoya.
Maybe De la Hoya is relatively old, coming off from a loss and is not close to his peak (although he looked formidable, in good shape, in the fight against Mayweather), but many think that’s the fight that Cotto needs before facing Mayweather.
From the point of view of a businessman, Cotto-De la Hoya would be an intelligent move, because, if Cotto wins, it would make him a superstar and a subsequent bout against Mayweather would be huge, maybe more that Mayweather-De la Hoya or Mayweather-Hatton. So De la Hoya-Cotto is an option, however, I think that Mayweather should fight Cotto right now. Of course, I’m thinking with the enthusiasm of a fan and not with the brain of a businessman. Cotto has beaten Mosley, Urkal, Quintana and Judah, he has established himself as the #1 Welterweight contender and defended his belt three times, what else?
Another thing: I’m not really sure if Oscar de la Hoya wants to fight Cotto at this moment; remember that weeks ago he said that he wouldn’t fight Cotto, or any other Puerto Rican.
De la Hoya-Hatton, in May, at the Wembley stadium, would also be a huge event, and possibly an easier fight for Oscar. But Hatton has said that he won’t go to 147 again, and the Golden Boy, at 34, can’t go down to 140. Hatton would be smart if he stays at 140 lbs. In that division, where he’s the Champ since 2005, he could dominate for a while. On the other hand, at 147, he would –without a doubt– win some fights, but he would also have some losses. He needs to remain at 140 and fight Malignaggi, Torres, Witter, etc. That would be better for his legacy and he could be included in the historical rankings of that division.
Paul Williams. If someone in the Welterweight division can beat Mayweather, I think that person is Paul Williams. Mainly because of his workrate and size. However, to deserve a fight against the current P4P King, he needs to some more victories against good opposition. Margarito was a good start. He also needs longevity; he needs to prove that he can stay at the top level without inconsistencies.