By James Slater: Fight fans always love a big upset, and the thousands of fans currently in Las Vegas will be hoping for, if not an upset or two on the big “Ring Kings” card, then at least competitive action. According to the majority of the experts, however, both Floyd Mayweather Junior, in his fight with Miguel Cotto, and Saul Alvarez, in his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley, will win big.
The website of Ring Magazine asked 22 experts from the publication and internet world who will win between “Money” and the reigning and defending WBA 154-pound champ, and ALL 22 experts pick the challenger. Not only that, but quite a few pick Mayweather to stop Cotto late on. Of course, the experts get it wrong as much as the next guy, yet the bookmakers also favour Floyd. Cotto, as we know, has some mountain to climb if he’s to shock the sport.
Of the 19 experts asked who they think will win in the chief supporting bout, between young warrior “Canelo” and ageing lion Mosley, all but one pick the 21-year-old to topple the 40-year-old former great. Many experts feel Alvarez will become the first man to halt Mosley. Only one person – the talented Robert Guerrero – picks Mosley for the upset: “The Ghost” tipping Shane to score a shock TKO win.
It would arguably be a bigger shock if Mosley won, compared to if Cotto won his fight. Alvarez is the heir apparent and very big things are expected of the Mexican star. Mosley is talking a great fight, and it must be remembered how he wanted this fight even before he was definitely in the running to get it. Does Mosley know something we don’t?
As far as my picks go, for what it’s worth – I have Mayweather winning a 12-round decision that will be wide on the cards, but the scores will not tell the full story. I can see Cotto testing Mayweather hard, his body work especially proving successful, but ultimately being a step behind in terms of speed. I can see Floyd getting hit and at least a little hurt in this one, though.
As for Canelo-Mosley, I see Alvarez winning a wide, possibly even dull UD. Mosley might be dangerous early on, but the longer the fight goes, will his attack fade? I think it will. Mosley will keep his record of never having been stopped, but the wide loss should signal his retirement all the same.