Floyd Mayweather: 10 Fighters He May or May Not Fight

Floyd Mayweather has become such a draw that even a relatively obscure fighter such as Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO) can net him 1.25 million pay-per-view sales. This means anyone could be next.

Mayweather has stated that Pacquiao is next, but when you have two egos as big as Pacquiao's and Mayweather's, coming together for the one fight everyone actually wants to see is hard to accomplish.

Mayweather will likely need to line up someone else, but it must be an opponent who at least appears tough. There always has to be an angle that is not in Mayweather's favor.

Against Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO) in 2009, Mayweather came off almost two years of inactivity against a pound-for-pound top five opponent.

Against Shane Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KO) in 2010, Mayweather faced a strong welterweight and Future Hall-of-Famer.

Against Ortiz in 2011, Mayweather faced a younger, bigger, supposedly hungrier welterweight world champion coming off the best win of his career.

In 2012, who he will face is unknown, but an angle is always necessary to sell a major fight. Based on that, here are 10 fighters Mayweather may or may not fight.

10. Victor Ortiz

24-year-old Victor Ortiz may have been too young for the spotlight, as evidenced by his fourth-round knockout fiasco to Mayweather on September 17.

Mayweather has answered calls for a rematch, stating, "I’ll give Ortiz a rematch but first he’s got to get passed Andre Berto."

Ortiz originally beat Berto (28-1, 22 KO) by unanimous decision back in April to earn the WBC welterweight world championship he would eventually hand over to Mayweather.

HBO and the promoters involved expressed a great desire to see a rematch take place. If so, and Ortiz wins, Mayweather may look forward to knocking him out in hopefully a less controversial manner.

Why He Might Not Fight Him

Mayweather already beat him. Why beat him again?

Ortiz could lose to Berto, who he beat in what was a very close match-up. Another loss would automatically eliminate Ortiz from the Mayweather rematch sweepstakes.

9. Andre Berto

Berto was a fast-rising welterweight prospect that some felt was still very untested for a world champion.

In steps Ortiz—his first real big test in a while. Berto and Ortiz ignited the boxing ring, setting the world on fire with their fight of the year-caliber match-up.

Though Berto suffered his first loss by decision, he gained the respect of his fans, media and critics alike with a show of heart, getting off the canvas twice to put Ortiz on the canvas twice as well.

Mayweather has said that he'll fight Ortiz if he wins a rematch with Berto. Who is to say Mayweather wouldn't give Berto a chance if he beats Ortiz?

Berto's already bounced back with an IBF world title with a fifth-round TKO victory over Jan Zaveck (31-2, 18 KO) this past September. 

Why He Might Not Fight Him

Berto is a strong welterweight world champion, but he lost to someone Mayweather can argue that he outclassed.

Even if Berto beats Ortiz again, it'll likely be in a rough-and-tumble fight. Berto won't likely dominate Ortiz.

If Berto has a much tougher time with Ortiz than Mayweather did, no one will believe in Berto's abilities enough to pay $70 to watch him fight Mayweather.

8. Devon Alexander

Alexander suffered a great setback when he lost to Timothy Bradley (27-0, 11 KO) by unanimous decision in what was supposed to be a blockbuster unification match between young undefeated world champs.

Alexander backed off and barely engaged in a showing that left many questioning his heart. He bounced back against Lucas Matthysse (28-2, 26 KO) in what became a great show of heart in a split decision win in his hometown of St. Louis.

Now that Alexander is promoted by Golden Boy, he can use their great working relationship with Mayweather to lobby for a Mayweather fight.

Alexander's trainer Kevin Cunningham and Ortiz's trainer Danny Garcia have already said that they like idea of their fighters facing each other next.

That ought to be an easy match-up, since Ortiz and Alexander are both signed to Golden Boy. If Alexander proves impressive, the fans may clamor for a Mayweather-Alexander fight and he may oblige.

Why He May Not Fight Him

Devon Alexander has no accolades at welterweight. His following is mainly in St. Louis, where Alexander sells out arenas, but Mayweather won't go anywhere outside Las Vegas.

Alexander's inexperience also may lead him to lose to Ortiz or beat him very narrowly in a performance that won't win over enough fans for Mayweather to take the fight.

7. Kell Brook

He's 25 years old, undefeated and a British welterweight. Brook also sells out his hometown of Sheffield in England.

Adidas just recently signed Brook to a deal to wear their three-striped footwear. The iconic shoe brand obviously feels Brook is either highly marketable or growing in marketability.

Brook is currently the mandatory for WBA welterweight world titlist Viacheslav Senchenko (32-0, 21 KO) after defeating Rafal Jackiewicz (38-10-1, 19 KO).

Mayweather may be tempted by Brook if he can land himself a world championship while staying undefeated.

Mayweather has always stated his desire to face a British fighter in England. Brook may be that guy, especially if he can better Khan.

Why He May Not Fight Him

Brook is still unproven and not filled with any major accomplishments. Also, Mayweather may just be blowing smoke about actually fighting in England.

6. Amir Khan

Amir Khan has called out Mayweather for at least a year, saying he'll be ready in a year or a few months or a few fights. Meanwhile, he spars with Pacquiao and is trained by Freddie Roach.

Khan is a student of the game, so taking on a master like Mayweather is something he shouldn't rush into. With that said, Roach is one of the best teachers and Pacquiao is one of the best students.

Khan has become a huge attraction in England, where he can currently sell out a major arena.

Mayweather's desire to fight at least once in England could finally be fulfilled by challenging the 24-year-old fast-rising British star "King" Khan.

Why He May Not Fight Him

Khan still has to move up from junior welterweight to welterweight. That extra seven pounds is likely something he can handle with his youth and height, but weight effects everyone differently.

The last time Mayweather fought a British fighter, he fought a Ricky Hatton, who was known more as a junior welterweight than a welterweight.

His performance at welterweight before facing Mayweather was decent, but not great. When it came time to fight Mayweather, Hatton had his moments but couldn't win the fight.

Khan could be Hatton Part 2, except with a different style. Khan's style may help him adapt to the weight better, though, and his conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, will make sure his transition is successful.

But the competition at 147 is rather decent as well. Berto and Ortiz represent the type of opponents Khan would be forced to face in such a division if he wants a fight with Mayweather.

Could he face that type of competition in a new weight division and win in dominating fashion? Not likely, making a Mayweather fight a bit of a distant thought for now.

5. Erik Morales

Morales is currently the WBC junior welterweight world champion, only one division removed from Mayweather.

May 5th is going to fall on a Saturday, making it a great night for a big Mexican boxing event. Who better to face on Cinco de Mayo than a Mexican legend.

Fans will ignore the fact Morales will have to come up in weight and it technically doesn't matter as much as one may initially believe.

Morales is actually the same height as Mayweather and has the same reach. The only physical advantage on paper that Mayweather has is he is one year younger.

Morales will have a chance to become the first Mexican-born fighter to win world titles in five weight divisions.

Why He Might Not Fight Him

Morales is old, coming from a smaller weight class and not a strong welterweight. That represents every criticism Mayweather has received in the past few years.

Mayweather has tried to address the issues by choosing the younger Ortiz, yet he receives criticism still.

That may inspire him to face Morales, but it may inspire him not to do so. Facing Morales also doesn't earn him anything like a welterweight world championship.

Whether this match comes about depends on whether Mayweather believes Morales' name brings anything to his legacy.

4. Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto was on a path that would surely have ended in a dream fight with Mayweather in 2008 had Mayweather not retired.

Instead of a battle of two undefeated fighters, Cotto faced Antonio Margarito, a Mexican fighter with a recent loss to an undefeated Paul Williams.

Had Cotto fought around Margarito, he likely would have been in line to face Mayweather upon his return in 2009.

Instead, Cotto suffered his first loss, thereafter resulting in what seemed a less confident Cotto.

Margarito was exposed in his next fight attempting to fight with loaded gloves. Plaster of Paris was found under his handwraps.

His hands were rewrapped under heavy watch and then the fight commenced. Margarito suffered his first knockout loss to Shane Mosley.

Since then, speculation has run rampant that Margarito used illegal wraps against Cotto, who beat Mosley nine months before facing Margarito.

Cotto is now set to face Margarito at 154 to not only defend his WBA light middleweight world championship, but to seek redemption for a loss that may have come by illegal means.

Why He May Not Fight Him

Cotto is damaged goods in the eyes of the public. Pacquiao beat him, so even if he redeems himself against Margarito he's still Pacquiao's leftovers.

Unless Mayweather beats Pacquiao, a Cotto match will be seen as him piggybacking Pacquiao's handiwork, something Mayweather has often accused Pacquiao of.

3. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez has a bunch of fans in Mexico, where he rose as star before finally coming to America.

Over the course of the last two years, Alvarez has captured new fans in America, a world title at 154 lbs. and grown significantly in his skill set.

Between his rising fame and skill, a meeting between Alvarez and Mayweather at 154 is not entirely out of the question a year and a half from now.

Why He May Not Fight Him

Mayweather is 34 years old and highly smart. He won't let Canelo get him when he's past his best.

Canelo right now is too young to take advantage of at a mere 21 years of age. He just started facing decent competition in the last two years.

He needs at least a year on the fast track before he's ready to battle with Mayweather. But when he is, the money will be there. The only problem is, will Mayweather be there?

2. Manny Pacquiao

Mayweather is the only man for Pacquiao and vice versa.

They both NEED each other. This match not only determines the best fighter of this generation, but it will likely become the most lucrative too.

Why He May Not Fight Him

Besides the drug testing argument and and his lack of interests in working with Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum, everything's peachy...rotten peachy that is.

Either Pacquiao will give in to the testing to try to shut Mayweather up or Mayweather will lessen his stance on randomized drug tests in order to land the fight of the century.

1. Sergio Martinez

Sergio Martinez is the ultimate throw-back-to-true-greatness fight. Mayweather moved up to lightweight from super featherweight divsion to face Jose Luis Castillo, one of the best fighters at the time.

Castillo gave Mayweather hell but he persevered and even gave a rematch to prove he could dominate Castillo, which he did.

Martinez is a middleweight; Mayweather a welterweight. Martinez has made offers to come down to meet Mayweather or Pacquiao in the middle at 154 lbs. Then he made the offer to come in at a catchweight of 150 lbs.

If Mayweather were to fight Martinez at junior middleweight or middleweight with no catchweight, he'd earn not only admiration and respect galore, but the right marketing scheme could sell this fight.

Martinez is a good-looking man, a borderline underwear model. Though he's from Argentina, he could still attract Hispanic people of all nationalities to root for him against Mayweather.

Martinez is taller and muscular as hell with a look that can be intense when he turns it on, creating a much more intimidating image than the PBS-friendly Ortiz goofball.

Why He Might Not Fight Him

He's big, but with no real name. Yes, Mayweather sold $1.25 million against Martinez, but that fight was much easier than a Martinez fight would be.

Martinez may be big and good-looking, but that doesn't mean he'll sell a whole lot more pay-per-views.

Martinez may not be worth the money. The only reason a Martinez fight would be worth making is if Mayweather could use the fight to completely one-up all of Pacquiao's latest victories.

Because of the lack of a name that Martinez has, he still likely won't get credit for beating a swift big man in Martinez.