After an exciting fight weekend to kick off the month of November, the boxing world gets a  taste of another fight of the year candidate this Saturday. Two fighters riding hot streaks clash when Shane Mosley fights Miguel Cotto, in a fight that has many fight fans drooling. What a follow up to this past weekend's terrific fight when Joe Calzaghe defeated Mikkel Kessler! It seems like the phrase "possible fight of the year candidate" has been used a lot this year, because we have had many great match ups, and this weekend's pairing fits under that phrase. Cotto-Mosley has the makings of being another barnburner.

      This is a fight between two belt holders in the welterweight division. Cotto won his WBO strap back in December of 2006 when he defeated Carlos Quintana. Mosley won his WBC strap in February of 2007 with a unanimous decision victory over Luis Collazo. Neither man stepped aside and took a tune-up fight, instead choosing to make this career defining fight. Cotto is coming off the biggest win of his career, a victory over Zab Judah; prior to that win he had beaten prospects Carlos Quintana and Paul Malignaggi. Cotto would have been justified had he chosen to take a tune up fight before stepping into another big fight.

     As for Shane Mosley, he has gotten his career back up to the point it was in 2001, before his first Vernon Forrest fight. He has won five straight fights, including two TKO victories over Fernando Vargas, which really seemed to have helped his ascent. He also has a title winning victory over the tough and awkward Luis Collazo in his last fight.

     Mosley seemed primed to be next in line for Floyd Mayweather Jr. after Floyd beat Oscar de la Hoya. But, instead Floyd signed to fight Ricky Hatton, and Shane took the next big thing, or maybe the best thing and chose to fight Cotto. Like Cotto he opted against a tune up. Mayweather deciding to fight Hatton might have actually been the best thing for Shane for a number of reasons.

     First, Cotto is probably a better match up for Shane, because nobody seems to match well with Floyd. Second, a fight with Cotto will likely be a more crowd pleasing fight. Cotto is rarely in a dull fight. Third, obviously a good fight with Cotto will only help further Mosley's career. As for Cotto, Miguel is looking to show the boxing world that he's worthy of his pound for pound status. Back to back wins over Judah and Mosley would definitely make a strong case for it.

      Upon close examination of  this match up, you might be surprised to note that it favors Mosley, but remember a lot of people said the same thing before Cotto's fight against Judah. In the Judah fight, Zab was able to outbox Cotto early, but Cotto's power and constant aggression (and a low blow) eventually wore him down. So, to me, the fight comes down to Shane's power and conditioning. Having seen Mosley train, I can say that he's always in tip top shape, so I don't think conditioning will be a factor. It comes down to this: if Mosley can use his speed and outbox Cotto then he has a decent chance. If he can make Cotto feel his power and not just throw pitter pat shots, then he has an even better chance. As for Cotto, he will try to do what he always does, try to overpower Shane and try to break him down with constant pressure. If he can accomplish that, then Cotto will win. It should be a great match up on Saturday night, and yes, another potential fight of the year candidate.