As reported earlier this week on FightHype, Manny Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz is now pushing for Pacquiao to face Floyd Mayweather on May 5th, despite the preferred intentions of Pacquiao’s master, Bob Arum, to stage yet another fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather’s actual opponent is still up in the air, but rumors are swirling as to who that will be. Some are odd and others are plausible, whereas some are outright insane. The following list is comprised of not who will necessarily create the best fight with Mayweather, but who makes the most sense for the only thing Mayweather is really looking for in an opponent: money!
The Buck Stops Here: Amir Khan
Hands down, Khan has all the things I think are necessary to make a Mayweather fight a very likely reality. The guy will bring UK fans to Vegas for the fight, he’s been talking plenty of trash lately, he’s fresh in the public’s eye due to the constant exposure he keeps getting, and he provides an excellent sub-plot that makes Mayweather-Khan an event. That sub-plot is that Khan shares the same trainers as Pacquiao does…Freddie Roach.
We get to see Floyd Sr. and Roger collectively bash Freddie Roach, accuse Alex Ariza of using stem-cell steroids to bulk up his fighters, and ask the million-dollar question: “Why are you willing to get Khan tested, but not Pacquiao?” The 24/7 would be monstrous, the promotion would be world-wide, and the coverage from both the US and the UK would easily make it the biggest fight of 2012. All that and we still haven’t even talked about the fight, which would be a big deal amongst fight fans, casual and informed alike. Khan will beat Lamont Peterson by hook or by crook in December, and if the Pacquiao fight doesn’t happen, you know what’s coming next.
