Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: What Must Occur for Superfight to Happen

There are boxing fans who are still interested in seeing Floyd Mayweather Jr. take on Manny Pacquiao in a superfight.

Beyond the negotiation mumbo-jumbo, there is a fairly simple chain of events that must take place to get the legends in the ring.

If these things occur, the only thing preventing the fight would be Pacquiao's religious beliefs and Mayweather's posturing. Neither of those things appear to be impossible impediments to get by.

In chronological order, here is how things need to shake out.

Mayweather Must Decisively Defeat Miguel Cotto on Saturday, May 5, 2012 

Mayweather is expected to defeat Cotto, but he must beat him soundly. The victory needs to come by a clear decision or TKO (remove KO as a result from your minds, that is nearly impossible in this fight).

If Cotto pushes Mayweather and there is a question about the "true" victor, then a rematch could be in store—more importantly, another big payday and yet another diversion away from the superfight.

Pacquiao Must Decisively Defeat Timothy Bradley on Saturday, June 9, 2012

In my opinion, Pacquaio has a more difficult opponent. Bradley isn't a knockout fighter, but he's a tough, skilled counter-puncher. If Pac-Man has lost a step, Bradley will expose him, and he could destroy the chances of a superfight.

Pacquiao needs a clear victory over Bradley, and honestly I don't think he'll get it. While he may beat him, I expect the fight to be very competitive and Bradley to win his share of rounds.

The superfight plans could end here. Luckily, there is time for Pac-Man to rematch Bradley if he loses or is challenged, due to the next item on my list.

Mayweather Must Emerge From Jail Sentence Mentally Unscathed, Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Floyd is set to begin his 90-day jail sentence on June 1. While it is unlikely Mayweather would have issues that threaten him physically while incarcerated, detainment can do a job on a man's mental state.

Mayweather must emerge from this ordeal mentally prepared and willing to fight.

I'd say there is a good chance he'll be ready, but anything can happen

Making the Fight?

If we make it through these three key dates, the earliest this fight could happen is between April and June of 2013. Pacquiao will likely have a fight or two between now and then, so that brings in at least one more variable.

Honestly, when this fight wasn't agreed to for May 5, the chances of it ever happening drastically decreased. These aren't young fighters who have a ton of time for their paths to cross.

We must realize this may never happen. What seemed like a collision course may ultimately end up as one of the greatest what-if scenarios in the history of the sport.

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