By James Slater – We all wish they were fighting one another, but fight fans the world over realise they will have to wait a while longer to see superstars Floyd Mayweather Junior and Manny Pacquiao get it on in the ring. In the meantime, the two P-4-P rivals have not at all uninteresting alternate fights all but set for the summer: Mayweather’s May 5th fight with reigning WBA 154-pound king Miguel Cotto now official, Pacquiao’s planned June 9th bout looking like being against unbeaten 140-pound ruler Timothy Bradley.
Both fights are not to be sniffed at (even though both match-ups come a distant second to a Mayweather-Pac-Man collision), yet most fans will tell you that both mega-stars will be entering the ring against fighters they will most certainly defeat. Make no mistake, it would be a big, maybe even huge upset if Cotto were to beat Mayweather and the same if Bradley were to topple Pacquiao. But which man has the better chance of turning the upset into reality?
Cotto has enjoyed a period of rejuvenation lately, with impressive wins over Yuri Foreman, Ricardo Mayorga and, last time out and most significantly, Antonio Margarito in a rematch. The Puerto Rican favourite will likely enter the ring with “Money” – at his natural weight of 154-pounds, which could prove to be a big factor in the fight; what with Floyd only having had one previous fight above 147, this being his 2007 match with Oscar De La Hoya – feeling as good as he ever has. Mentally up after having removed the thorn that was Margarito from his side, Cotto could prove to be a very dangerous rival for Mayweather.
My prediction: Mayweather, after having some real problems in the early to middle rounds, comes out with a close, possibly even controversial points win on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Cotto’s chances at scoring the upset: fair.
Bradley, who has wanted a fight the size of the one he looks like getting with Pacquiao for some time, could present Pac-Man with a number of problems – even more so if Pacquiao is fading a little, as some fans felt immediately after his closer than expected points win over Juan Manuel Marquez recently. Ace trainer Freddie Roach has gone on record as saying he worries if his fighter can “get up” for guys like Bradley. Roach is concerned that the Palm Springs man is not good enough or dangerous enough for his man to get sufficiently motivated. If this is indeed the case I think Pac-Man could be in big trouble if he does actually face Bradley.
No, Bradley is not a massive puncher, and no, he’s not as slick or as tricky as a Marquez. But what Bradley is, is young, hugely hungry, immensely strong physically and motivated like never before to win this fight. We all know how strong and powerful Pacquiao is, but could it be that the possibly past his best Filipino legend faces his match in the strength department ( strength not only of body but also of mind) in this still-to-be-confirmed fight?
It will be tough for Bradley to win a decision over Pacquiao (just ask Marquez about that!), and a Bradley KO win looks all but impossible. But at the same time I can’t see Pac-Man halting the tough, immaculately conditioned “Desert Storm.” Can you say controversial decision?
My prediction: Bradley will shock Pacquaio with his combination of sheer aggression, toughness and ring savvy, pushing the living legend all the way. In the end it will not be enough in the eyes of the judges, but some fans will cry bad decision.
Bradley’s chances at scoring the upset: fair to good.