The Neutral Corner

* WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is the next obvious choice as an opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr. But don’t be surprised if Cotto is lured into a fight against Oscar de la Hoya in May at Dodgers Stadium. It would bring more money to him because Oscar always brings in more money. If the winner faced Mayweather Jr., it just might eclipse all the financial records set by De la Hoya-Mayweather.

* Every great fighter has something they get away with. Greg Long, boxing aficionado at Newsday, reminds us that Ali grabbed opponents behind the neck. Tyson used his elbows and Holyfield led with his head. With Floyd, his left elbow and forearm are an integral part of his defense. It was more obvious in this fight because Hatton pressed Floyd more than any previous opponent. Nonetheless, referee Joe Cortez did a lousy job of getting Mayweather to stop. He threatened to take points, but never did.

* HBO’s 24/7 series is the best marketing tool to hit boxing since the explosion of the Internet. Fans that would otherwise ignore boxing are familiar with Mayweather and Hatton because of that series. And most that I’ve spoken with actually watched the fight because the series piqued their interest.

* One thing I can do without, though, when it comes to 24/7 is uncle Roger Mayweather’s excessive use of “m-----f-----er.” I cringe every time I hear him say it. He said it an awful lot in the corner on fight night too.

* It is boxing tradition that the referee stands at ring center, between both fighters, and raises the winner’s hand once a decision is announced. A variation on that theme still exists, even after knockouts. But somehow, the image of Mayweather, one arm slung around the shoulders of Cortez, after the fight seemed inappropriate. Both men were beaming for the cameras. Does the umpire pose with the winning pitcher after a game? Does the referee stand at the 50-yard-line and hand the game ball to the star running back?

* Nice to see a departure from Floyd’s 24/7 persona after the fight. He is as humble in victory as any athlete I can recall. Couple that with the emotional bear hug he threw around his three children after the fight and it makes you wonder which is the real Floyd?

* It was revealing that Hatton said Floyd was a bigger welterweight than he expected. Floyd's first title came at 130 pounds. Hatton has never fought under junior welterweight (140). That would presumably rule out Hatton ever fighting De la Hoya, who walks around as a middleweight. You got the sense from Oscar last month in New York that he was angling for a match with Hatton.

* To me, one indicator of greatness is a fighter’s ability to adapt. Floyd has been able to defeat any style he encounters. No matter what the opponent does, Floyd has an answer.

* So Floyd spoke about a “long vacation,” after this bout. I never thought I’d say this, but please Floyd, not too long. -- CASSIDY