Mayweather vs Cotto bout won’t be one-sided

Many believes the May 5 junior middleweight contest between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto will not be as one-sided as many boxing fans think. The undefeated Mayweather is the favorite going to the Mayweather vs Cotto fight, even though he is fighting at the 154-pound weight class for the first time since 2007 and is technically the challenger to Cotto’s junior middleweight title.

In an interview with On The Ropes Boxing Radion, Richardson explained that the weight class, along with Cotto’s fighting spirit, will play significant roles in the match.

“You can’t just lock in on one-sided,” said Richardson, who has trained former world champions “Sugar” Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins. “The last time Floyd has been at this weight was probably his toughest contest.”

Richardson is referring to Mayweather’s May 2007 bout against Oscar De La Hoya, which he won via split decision. The respected trainer also called Cotto “a special kid.”

“Cotto’s a kid who has pretty much re-energized himself. You know, he felt like he went back and redeemed himself from the (Antonio) Margarito fight, and Cotto’s a special kid, too,” Richardson said.

Cotto’s career was at a crossroads when he lost to Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao via a 12th round technical knockout in 2009.

He has since moved up in weight to the junior middleweight division and won three straight bouts, including a victory over Margarito last December. In the process, he avenged one of his two career losses.

“So, one-sided? I never count on that against champions, against guys who are true champions. You don’t see one-sided,” Richardson said.

Mayweather acknowledged that moving up in weight will give Cotto a slight advantage, but guaranteed that he can beat Cotto at any weight.

“Fight fans, get ready, because I am about to dethrone the current king of the 154-pound weight class,” Mayweather said.