By Jhonny Gonzalez

Pound-for-pound boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26KOs) believes WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30KOs) is using some of his movements, and tactics, in the ring. Several years ago, both boxers were stablemates under Las Vegas-based Top Rank Promotions.

Mayweather broke his ties with Top Rank to become a free agent in 2006. Cotto became a free agent when his Top Rank contract expired on December 31.

When they used to train side by side at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas, Mayweather feels that Cotto studied his movements and in-ring abilities.

"I think Miguel Cotto has been watching me for a very, very long time. Miguel Cotto had a chance to sit at the Top Rank [Gym] when we both were fighters at Top Rank, and he used to sit right there and watch me train every day, watch me box. Even some of his movement, I see it comes from me. I'm thankful that fighters can pick up stuff from me and use it and be successful. He's a solid guy. He's a good fighter," Mayweather told reporters in Los Angeles.

Mayweather challenges Cotto for the WBA's 154-pound title on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.