Mayweather vs. Cotto: If Saul Alvarez KOs Shane Mosley, Let Him Face Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto will clash for the WBA 154-pound world title on May 5. Mayweather is favored to win due to his smarts and his speed.

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will clash with "Sugar" Shane Mosley for the WBC portion of the 154-pound world title on the undercard. Alvarez's youth is expected to conquer Old Man Mosley's experience.

The outcome of these two fights is not the biggest question in boxing. The biggest question in boxing is, "What will happen next?"

Mayweather (42-0, 26 KO) reports to jail on June 1 to serve a 90-day sentence for domestic violence. He can get 30 days off for good behavior. If that happens, Mayweather could be out before August. Alvarez (39-0-1, 29 KO) wants to return to the ring by Sept. 15 to fight near Mexican Independence Day, the second-biggest weekend in boxing outside of Cinco de Mayo.

Mayweather could be his opponent. Fighting that close to his release may seem preposterous, but Mayweather can be ready and shouldn't miss out on such a good money-making holiday.

Mayweather was given allowance by the court to move the start date of his sentence back five months to accommodate an economy-boosting fight. Surely, the justice system will allow him time to train. Roger Mayweather, Mayweather's uncle and trainer, may be given extra visitation privileges to help keep the undefeated titlist in shape. Mayweather, at 35, isn't getting any younger.

A lot has been made about Alvarez fighting a 40-year-old Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KO), but Mosley has what many in the 154-pound division don't have—experience.

James Kirkland (31-1, 27 KO) has been brought up as a potential opponent for Alvarez, but Kirkland brings nothing except his power. Kirkland's chin is questionable in light of him being stopped in the first round by a light-hitting Japanese journeyman—Nobuhiro Ishida (24-7-2, 9 KO).

His skills are also in question following a controversial disqualification win over Carlos Molina (19-5-2, 6 KO)—a fighter who was beating him before the fight was stopped.

Alvarez's patience would easily exterminate Kirkland. There is no slick, classic boxing counter-puncher who can get Alvarez ready for Mayweather. Mosley is the closet fighter he can face. Mosley was able to move backward and avoid a knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO). He was also able to rock Mayweather in the second round of their fight.

Should Alvarez knock Mosley out without experiencing any major trouble, he will have passed the ultimate test that says he's able to compete with Mayweather.

Mayweather himself will be a 35-year-old coming out of jail. That should counteract Mayweather's advantage in experience and ring smarts. Alvarez's power and youth will also help even the odds.

Along with the fight being near a major Mexican holiday, HBO's award-winning documentary series, 24/7, would get footage of Mayweather training in jail. That could generate a lot of interest. Mike Tyson benefited deeply from his first fight coming out of jail in 1995. He fought a no-name and still generated 1.55 million pay-per-view sales.

If Mayweather comes out of jail to face Alvarez, their fight will have no limit to what it can do. Throw in Cotto vs. Mosley II on the undercard, and Mayweather-Alvarez will be another must-see PPV. 

If Alvarez knocks Mosley out and Mayweather trains while in prison, a Sept. 15 meeting in the ring should be on their calendars.