Mayweather vs. Cotto 2012: The Next Most Logical Opponent for Each Fighter

Now that a few days have passed since Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto battled in an epic fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, it's time to look at who is the best opponent for each fighter to take on next.

Mayweather will start an 87-day jail sentence in June, but I cannot imagine him walking away from the sport of boxing before he explores all options possible to set up a bout with Manny Pacquiao.

For Cotto, he will be looking to move on from his defeat to Money May and find an opponent he can dominate.

Let's look at the best future opponents for Mayweather and Cotto.

Floyd Mayweather

The next opponent that everyone wants Mayweather to face is obviously Manny Pacquiao, but there are too many obstacles standing in the way of this fight taking place.

Unless "Money May" and "PacMan" can figure out a way to make that fight happen, the next opponent for Mayweather should be Saul Alvarez, who is one of the best young fighters in the world.

Alvarez dominated Shane Mosley last weekend and would be a strong opponent for Mayweather. Alvarez probably wouldn't beat Money May, but it would be another great bout for Mayweather in preparation for a possible Pacquiao fight.

Miguel Cotto

Many people were surprised at how well Miguel Cotto performed in the ring against Mayweather. He made Money May work a lot harder than I think Mayweather thought he would need to.

Cotto proved he will be a very tough fighter for anyone who challenges him in the future, and his next opponent should be Victor Ortiz.

Ortiz fought Mayweather tough last year and would be a tremendous challenge for Cotto. Ortiz will fight in June, but a late-year bout with Cotto would be an epic fight.