Mayweather may return, eyeing Pacquiao as foe

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao’s name is being floated as one of the top contenders of Floyd Mayweather Jr. if ever the former pound-for-pound king decides to come out of retirement.

Golden Boy Promotions chief executive officer Richard Schaeffer said Mayweather, who retired after beating Ricky Hatton in 2007, could pick from four high-profile opponents if he decides to once again climb the ring this year.

A Mayweather-Pacquiao match would pit the reigning pound-for-pound champion against the former title holder.

Mayweather was undefeated in 39 fights, with 25 knockouts, when he retired.

Pacquiao holds a 48-3-2 win-loss-draw record with 37 of his wins by way of knockout. He is currently training for his upcoming fight against Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Schaeffer said Pacquiao would solidify his hold of the pound-for-pound title if he beats Hatton. “I don't care who you put in front of (Pacquiao), big or small, he would be the pound-for-pound champion."

He added that a Mayweater-Pacquiao match will be a huge draw in Las Vegas. “To put (Pacquiao) and Mayweather together, it would be for all the marbles. If you think about it, even if you were a casual fan, you would have to get excited about them."

Others being considered are Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), “Sugar" Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) and Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs).

Hatton is eyeing a rematch against Mayweather after suffering a ninth-round technical knockout (TKO) loss in their December 8, 2007 fight. He could earn that rematch if ever the British boxing superstar upsets Pacquiao.

“Just imagine the huge draw of a sellout crowd at Wembley Stadium in London with 100,000 people if Hatton would beat Pacquiao," said Schaeffer. “It (Hatton-Mayweather) would be a huge, huge, historic fight."

Mosley, meanwhile, called on Mayweather after a ninth-round TKO of Antonio Margarito in their WBA welterweight title fight in Los Angeles early this year.

Schaefer said Mosley’s speed could counter Mayweather’s speed. “He’s (Mosley) a bigger and stronger guy, so Mayweather would have to utilize all of his skills in the ring. It would be interesting. It would make for a great fight."

Marquez, meanwhile, could get Mayweather’s attention after his knockout win against Juan Diaz last month making him Mexico’s top boxer.

“So, you're going to have all of Mexico standing behind Marquez. He’s a smaller guy, but, as he has moved up in weight, he has gotten better and better. Mayweather hasn’t fought in like 16 months. Marquez is a pound-for-pound star. That would be an amazing match up," said Schaeffer. – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/154209/Mayweather-may-return-eyeing-Pacquiao-as-foe

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