Manly Things at BWWs: "Jailtime" Mayweather vs. "YOLO" Cotto

Turtleneck!

Everything I know about boxing can be summed up with Rocky movies and Ali documentaries. I wasn’t sure what to expect walking into BWWs to watch the SUPERWELTERWEIGHT WORLD SUPREME TITLE CHAMPIONSHIP, but I had heard of Mayweather and that ought to count for something. The place was pretty packed, so this looked like a Big Deal.

I’m still undecided on how I feel about boxing. It’s this really weird combination of violent bloodsport, a gentleman’s duel, an athletic event and a beauty pageant. It’s even crazier when you realize Mayweather walks home with a cool $32 million, regardless of whether he wins or loses. UFC seems to have more clearly drawn lines, with less history and pageantry and more blood –but also less blows to the head-- and I wonder if boxing can keep up with UFC anymore.

There were three “undercard” fights, which were notable only for how few people seemed to care. Most of these consisted of a really young up-and-comer boxer against a really old, near the end of his career boxer. I imagine all the old guys calling the new ones “young pup” in the locker room. These fights seemed even more brutal than the main one, whether it was because they were less trained or because you watch someone going to the hall of fame getting whupped on by a 20 year old.