Three thoughts from Mayweather-Cotto

Despite lopsided scorecards, Miguel Cotto put up an admirable effort against Floyd Mayweather. (AP)

LAS VEGAS -- Three quick thoughts from Floyd Mayweather’s unanimous decision win over Miguel Cotto...

Don’t let the scorecards fool you. This was a fight. Cotto came into the ring with a brilliant gameplan, pushing Mayweather into the corner and making him fight with his back against the ropes. He was competitive in virtually every round and scuffed Mayweather’s face more than any fighter in recent memory. Mayweather was more precise, landing 26 percent of his punches to Cotto’s 21 percent. The judges scored it 117-111 (twice), 118-110 and the consensus was they were right on; SI.com scored it 116-112 for Mayweather. But this decision was in doubt when the fight went into the later rounds and Mayweather will be the first to tell you this was a very difficult fight.

And now...Manny Pacquiao? Mayweather was unusually direct in his post-fight interview, calling for Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to give the fans what they want to see and make a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. But Mayweather is obtuse on the lingering issue, the split. He is insisting on something closer to 60-40 while Arum and Pacquiao are set on 50-50. As long as that gulf exists, this fight is still going to be a fantasy.

Cotto will move on. Cotto did nothing to tarnish his name in the ring, and the big fights will continue to come his way. He’s still an elite 154-pounder and a big pay per view draw with a terrific fan base in New York. Sergio Martinez would love a shot at him while a showdown with Mexican prospect Saul Alvarez--who blew out Shane Mosley on the undercard--would do big business and be a firefight. Cotto’s future now may be brighter than ever.

-- Chris Mannix