Cotto vs. Mayorga Guarantees Pre-Fight Entertainment

With the criticism being leveled at the unwanted pay-per-view matchup of Pacquiao-Mosley, and possibly a second in Marquez-Morales, a third in Miguel Cotto vs. Ricardo Mayorga has gone under the radar. Scheduled for March 12, it’s a fight there is no fan demand for. But the reason this bout has escaped the pen wrath of boxer writers, and constant derision on message boards, is that Mayorga’s out of the ring antics can sell him against anyone.

Make no mistake, Ricardo Mayorga has done nothing to earn a shot at Cotto’s WBA junior middleweight title. After getting knocked out in the 12th round by Shane Mosley in 2008, Mayorga has fought just one bout, KO’ing a journeyman fighter named Michael Walker on December 17. Coming into that bout, Walker had lost his last four fights, and two straight by KO. Mayorga’s foolhardy 2010 attempt to dabble in MMA was blocked by his promoter Don King. His career appeared to be going nowhere, destined to be remembered only for his early 2000s exploits.

But in boxing, having a recognized name is more important than your recent achievements. No one champions this philosophy more than Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. Miguel Cotto, despite coming off shoulder surgery, let it be known in recent weeks that he’d be willing to face middleweight champion Sergio Martinez. Nobody doubted his words. Since 2006, Miguel Cotto has had one of the more challenging stretch of opponents, including peak versions of Manny Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, and Joshua Clottey. Instead of Martinez, or even Andre Berto, who pushed for the fight in 2010, Arum opted on Mayorga, a name still known amongst casual fans for his battles with Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, and Shane Mosley.

A 30-year-old Mayorga from 2003 would have a strong puncher’s chance against a welterweight Cotto. Today sheds light on a much different Ricardo Mayorga; a 37-year-old who’s been viciously knocked out in three of his last six fights. He’s a greatly diminished opponent, selected by Arum in hopes Cotto looks good to lead into a possible in-house rematch with Antonio Margarito.

Why is Bob Arum so confident fans will shell out cash for this bout? The reason is the below video.

After Mayorga upset Vernon Forrest for the welterweight title in 2003, he made one successful defense (a Forrest rematch) before losing the championship to Cory Spinks in 2004. Since then he’s posted a record of 4-3, with all three losses coming by KO. But at least four of those seven matchups have been on pay-per-view, and that’s because the Nicaraguan slugger has made himself a spectacle, a wildman that people love to watch from the safety of their homes and seats. Is he a big pay-per-view seller in the vein of Mayweather and Pacquiao? Absolutely not. But with press conferences and interviews like the below clip, he can do more than enough to make a matchup with Cotto profitable for both Don King and Bob Arum.

The big question mark is whether the guaranteed pre-fight fun will translate into a great fight worthy of pay-per-view. Mayorga will be much bigger than Cotto, but the former Nicaraguan champ has been turned into target practice by the last batch (Trinidad, Mosley, De La Hoya) of elite fighters he’s faced. If anything, this bout will show how much Cotto still has in the tank if he can’t finish Mayorga.

For most hardcore fans, whether to buy this bout will be a game time decision. In the meantime, we’re assured at least some free entertainment when those Cotto-Mayorga press conferences kick off in the coming weeks.