The veteran Showtime announcing crew has some words of advice and keys to victory for the world championship event between Cotto and Mayorga:
Steve Albert: “Cotto needs to get inside Mayorga’s wide shots with compact, accurate punches. Cotto is one of the best short-distance punchers in the sport. He needs to jab and move and blast that left hook, which is still one of the best in the business. He should use the entire arsenal. Fans want to see if that right hand is effective since the shoulder surgery and make sure he has a Plan B, C and D.”
“Mayorga, don’t smoke between rounds! Seriously, he’s physically bigger so he should impose his will and do what he always does, keep punching from all angles. He needs to keep Cotto guessing and make it wild.”
Al Bernstein: “Cotto needs to get inside the wide punches and work the double left hook, He should go to the body – Mayorga is 37-years-old and a smoker. On the other hand, Mayorga needs to straighten out the right because wide ones won’t land. He should attack from the beginning because Cotto has been hurt by smaller fighters. Finally, he should make it a street fight – rough him up.”
Antonio Tarver: “It’s been a while since Mayorga has been in a significant fight after having some tough losses. For Mayorga, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime, It could be his final chance to get back into the mix in the weight division so I see him being focused.”
“He’s going to have to use his erratic and unpredictable style to win and he needs to fight really hard. When Cotto is forced to fight out of his rhythm he has some problems, so it will be important for Mayorga to press and not let Cotto time his punches. No rhythm, just wow! Be aggressive and fight hard. Mayorga has to make it nasty.”
“Cotto needs to keep the pace, continue to fight his fight, time his punches and move. As long as he can do that without being hurt he’ll be OK. Cotto needs to get up under those wild shots — that’s Mayorga’s style and Cotto can’t fall prey to that. I’m curious to see how much wear and tear Cotto has from his past fights and how that will affect him.”
Jim Gray: “Cotto needs it more and is going to be able to take advantage of Mayorga, who has had long layoffs. While Mayorga is colorful with his taunting and his words, the older you get the harder it is to back up all that commentary.”
“I believe that Cotto will be much faster and should be able to avoid getting hit. Emanuel Steward will not let Cotto veer off course. Mayorga is very crafty and will have to pace himself and I believe he will have to pick his spots and try and do some damage if he can find an opening. He will have to be very patient.”
“RELENTLESS” will be produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, at a suggested retail price of $49.95.
