Boxing competition
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto, billed as Ring Kings, was a boxing super welterweight bout held on May 5, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.[1] Mayweather won the fight by unanimous decision in what was deemed to be a clear, but very competitive and exciting victory for Floyd.
Drug Testing
Both fighters agreed to random blood and urine testing for the fight, which Mayweather had demanded of his most recent opponents at the time.[2]
Background
Mayweather
There was immediate speculation as to whom Mayweather would fight. Many felt that he should fight eight division champion, Manny Pacquiao. Indeed Mayweather called out Pacquiao via Twitter.[3] Negotiations for the fight hit the wall, however, when there were arguments over the venue[4] and how the money from the fight should be split.[5]
Mayweather has had one previous fight in the 154-pound division, which was when he outpointed Oscar De La Hoya to win a belt in May 2007.
Mayweather reclaimed one of his old welterweight titles by knocking out Victor Ortiz controversially in the fourth round at the MGM Grand on Sept. 17, 2011.[6]
Cotto
Making the third defense of his title, Cotto was in a fight without Top Rank as his promoter for the first time in his career. His contract with Bob Arum's company expired following his Dec. 3 revenge, 10th-round knockout victory against Antonio Margarito and he will be working with Golden Boy Promotions, Top Rank's archrival, on the fight with Mayweather.
Reported fight earnings
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. guaranteed $45 million vs. Miguel Angel Cotto $8 million
- Shane Mosley $750,000 vs. Canelo Álvarez $2 million
The fight drew 1.5 Million pay per view buys.[7]
