The 34 year-old, who tops the WBN Pound for pound rankings, is unable to commit to a multi-million dollar mega-fight with the Filipino Congressman as the WBO belt holder and his team eye an outdoor event at a later date.
‘Money’ Mayweather told waiting journalists at a recent charity donation that he is willing to back-up a fight with Pacquiao by agreeing to face former WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez at a catchweight of 150lbs, without thinking of the logistics of the Argentinian fighting on March 17th in New York.
The Pacquiao bubble seems on the verge of bursting for the American and if a bout between him and Martinez was to be organised, it would certainly have to come at the expense of British fighter Matthew Macklin’s scheduled bout against ‘Maravilla’ on St. Patricks’ Day.
It is highly doubtful that Martinez, 37, would then be able to fight on May 5th, just seven weeks after his already promoted fight with Macklin and backing out of the contest would prove tricky for the world’s number one middleweight.
That leaves Mayweather with few options for his pre-prison bout, having publicly ruled out Miguel Cotto and Robert Guerrero and placing a fight with WBC 154lb champion Saul Alvarez somewhere in the future.
Who would then step in and fill the void? Possibly Andre Berto if he comes through Victor Ortiz next month or maybe Timothy Bradley, although Floyd may not want to deal with Bob Arum if he and Pacquiao are kept apart until November and could you rule out Amir Khan at this stage with Mayweather’s choices looking limited?
I personally hope that the Pacquiao fight is made obviously, although if a ‘Canelo’ bout comes off for the Cinco De Mayo date, I believe that the youngster could cause Mayweather some serious problems, even at his tender age and it would be worthy fight for May 5th.
