Floyd Mayweather to fight Miguel Cotto
Mayweather vs Cotto Confirmed For May 5th at MGM Grand
Miguel Cotto: I Will Convincingly Beat Floyd Mayweather
Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. will rise in weight and challenge junior middleweight titleholder Miguel Cotto on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas after the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted 5-0 on Wednesday to grant Mayweather a one-fight license at the conclusion of a one-hour hearing.
"Miguel Cotto is a world-class fighter who can never be taken for granted and continues to prove he is one of the best in boxing," said Mayweather, whose long-discussed match with Manny Pacquiao has been put off yet again. "It will be a challenge for me to compete with him at this weight, but this is the type of test I thrive on and gives me the motivation to train even harder. I have no doubt in my mind that my title belt collection will increase once again and Cotto's reign as champion will come to an end on May 5."
Mayweather vs Cotto Confirmed For May 5th at MGM Grand
Grant Sawyer State Building, Las Vegas - The opponent is set for May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. During a hearing to obtain his boxing license in the state of Nevada, WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26KOs) announced his next opponent, WBA junior middleweight king Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30KOs), to the members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Mayweather was asked by the commission - "Do you have an opponent for May 5th? Are you ready to reveal that opponent?
Mayweather replied: "Yes I do [have an opponent].....Miguel Cotto."
Cotto, promoted by Top Rank since the start of his career, became a free agent on December 31st when his promotional contract expired.
Miguel Cotto: I Will Convincingly Beat Floyd Mayweather
Las Vegas, Nev. ...It's official. Boxing superstar Floyd "Money" Mayweather will return to the ring, step up in weight and challenge three-division World Champion Miguel Cotto for his WBA Super Welterweight World title in what will be a gargantuan showdown between two future Hall of Famers who bring excitement and fierce competition every time they step into the ring. Mayweather vs. Cotto will take place on Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on pay-per-view.
Cotto, coming off of the second defense of his title, a spectacular tenth-round technical knockout win over Antonio Margarito in December 2011, is ready to face Mayweather and believes he is Mayweather's most competitive career challenge to date.
"I am here to fight the biggest names in boxing," said Cotto who true to his warrior spirit that has distinguished his entire career has accepted this challenge to face the undefeated Mayweather. "I've never ducked anyone or any challenge in front of me. I have accepted everything to give the fans what they like...great and exciting fights. That is what the sport of boxing is all about; making the fights that the fans want and deserve to see. On May 5, stay tuned, because I will convincingly beat Floyd Mayweather."