Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Let's Hope for a December Fight

When Floyd Mayweather disposed of Juan Manuel Marquez in September and two months later Manny Pacquiao outlasted Miguel Cotto, boxing fans frothed at the mouth at the idea of a Mayweather-Pacquiao bout. Not that they hadn't before, but this time it was fully in the cards.

The fighters are considered the two best pound-for-pound boxers in the world and a clash needs to happen. The fight would not only settle the question as to who is better, but to give boxing the enormous booster shot it needs. It would be biggest cash grab in the history of Pay-Per-View.

A date was reportedly set for March 13th in which both fighters were guaranteed an equal split of an enormous $50 million pot. However, Mayweather's camp pressed Pacquiao's people for more stringent drug testing that would follow Olympic-style rules including regular and random blood tests. Pacquiao's handlers disagreed and just like that the dream fight was called off.

With March now out of the picture, steps need to be taken to make this fight happen by the end of the year. Mayweather has bounced in and out of retirement the last few years, but is still in great fighting shape. Meanwhile, Pacquiao is at the very top of his game with no signs of slowing down.

This fight needs to happen because this matchup can garner the attention like the colossal heavyweight bouts of a generation ago. Mayweather's drama of demanding tougher drug testing only adds fuel to the growing fire.

Secondly, there is Mayweather's unblemished record. Are his drug test demands a means to backpedal and protect his perfect 40-0 record? Perhaps. But that adds even more intrigue. Fans want to see if this boxer who has absorbed every opponent's blow only to stand victorious at the end of every match can do it one more time. This time against the lightning fists and steely jaw of Pacquiao.

Winter is the perfect time for the fight. People across the country are settled into the cold. By December, sports fans will have enjoyed months of football players crashing into each other, so what would be better than watching the world's two best fights try and knock each other's blocks off?

If Mayweather, who currently holds no title, wants to be remembered as the greatest fighter of this era, he has got to step in the ring with Pacquiao. It would, without question, be the biggest fight of the decade and possibly longer.

Pacquiao's speed versus Mayweather's power. Pacquiao's combinations against Mayweather's agility and elusiveness. The contrast in styles. The drama of the dates being set and later called off. Mayweather's undefeated record. They've both beat the best. The only ones left are each other. Let's hope by December, it finally happens.