Would a Mayweather Jr. Loss Be Best for Boxing?

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Need evidence of this? Watch this interview with Brian Kenny from ESPN. Mayweather seems to scoff at the mere idea of fighting Shane Mosley, as if Mosley were some journeyman. Miguel Cotto was only briefly mentioned once in the entire interview. Paul Williams? Forget about it.

If Mayweather should get by Marquez, and he should, my guess is he wants to fight Pacquiao next. Assuming that Mayweather/Pacquaio can be made, I give Mayweather and excellent chance at winning that fight as well. Which leaves us with Mayweather doing one the following:

1. Retiring Again

Feeling he has once again reclaimed his spot as boxing's pound for pound best, and made millions in the process, he calls it quits again.

This will probably only last long enough for a new fighter to emerge, one that Mayweather feels he can beat. As long as he has the 0 in the loss column, I doubt he will ever really retire. He will always have one more big payday looming.

2. A rematch with Oscar De La Hoya

Just because De La Hoya has retired doesn't mean we will never see him in the ring again. If Mayweather can create enough demand with wins over Marquez and Pacquiao, this fight can be made at junior middleweight. It's not the fight boxing fans want, but its the fight Mayweather wants.

3. Rematch with Pacquaio

Pending this fight does not end in brutal one sided fashion, a rematch would most certainly be in order. Mayweather would certainly oblige, especially if he wins.

4. Calls out Timothy Bradley, Edwin Valero, or Andre Berto.

This is only if the option two or three are not viable. Bradley is a good fight for Mayweather to pick up a title belt and give a young fighter his first loss. Same with Valero and Berto. None pose significant threat to Mayweather, making them all viable candidates.

The most glaring omission to these choices is a fight with Shane Mosley. I don't believe Mayweather will fight Mosley until he is convinced Mosley poses him no threat, whether it be thru age or a bad outing for Mosley.

Why Mayweather needs to lose

A loss by Mayweather to either Marquez or Pacquiao might be a blessing in disguise for boxing fans. Without the 0, Mayweather loses some standing. Without the 0, Mayweather loses some clout. Without the 0, Mayweather can no longer hold fans hostage.

If Mayweather loses to Marquez, he has to take the stiffest challenge available. If he is unable to secure an immediate rematch, he has to throw all caution to the wind. A fight with Pacquiao would be out of the question at that point. The only acceptable fights for him would be against Cotto or Mosley.

If Mayweather were to beat Marquez but lose to Pacquaio, the same rule applies. If he is unable to secure a rematch with Pacquaio, he will be forced to redeem himself by taking the sternest available test. Again its Cotto or Mosley. His ego will allow him to do nothing less.

For the sake of fans, I for one, am hoping for a Mayweather loss. If only for the hope that it transforms him from following the path of least resistance, to taking on all comers. I know this is a pipe dream and maybe nothing changes with a Mayweather loss. The one thing I do know is that if Mayweather keeps winning, he will keep reducing the threat level.

One can only hope Mayweather does the right thing and takes on all comers if he beats Marquez and Pacquiao.

I certainly won't be holding my breath.

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