Floyd Mayweather Must Make Sure Manny Pacquiao Is His Next Opponent

Coming off of a dominant win over Robert Guerrero, it's time for Floyd Mayweather to make sure a long-anticipated fight between he and Manny Pacquiao finally becomes a reality. 

I haven't been one of those to bash Money for this fight not happening, or anyone in Manny's camp either for that matter. We are talking about two megastars who are used to getting their way in a negotiation, and we are talking about what is sure to be the most lucrative negotiation in the history of boxing. 

Neither of these men have been pressured into accepting a deal that hasn't met their liking, and how can I bash them for that? 

However, that said, it is time for Floyd to make sure this happens. Manny Pacquiao is already walking down the road of compromise and Money just has to meet him. 

According to Pacquiao's advisor Michael Koncz, via ESPN, Pacquiao's stance on drug testing will not be an issue. He said Pac-Man will agree to "any kind of testing as long as Floyd does the same."

As for the money? Well, Koncz said that Pacquiao is willing to agree to a 60-40 split of the money. That figure keeps dropping as he previously was looking for 45 percent. 

Pacquiao's concessions are no surprise. After having lost two consecutive fights his stock is falling, and his bargaining power is going with it. 

Now, Floyd can either use the fact that Manny has lost two straight fights to say that Pacquiao doesn't deserve any special consideration. However, he does. 

Whether Floyd likes it or not, whether they ever fight or not, Manny Pacquiao is going to be viewed as his biggest rival. If he does not fight Pacquiao, while these two are in some proximity to their prime, Mayweather's sterling career will always have this void. 

Money could wait, and try and schedule this fight a little further down the road in his 30-month contract he recently signed with Showtime/CBS, but this would be a needless gamble. 

To this point, Pacquiao has the two straight losses, but he was robbed of a win against Timothy Bradley, and he looked as good as he ever has against Juan Manuel Marquez until he left himself open for a brutal knockout punch.

But what happens if Manny comes out and looks bad in a loss? That won't only hurt the immense monetary value of this fight, but it would also cheapen his potential victory over Pacquiao. 

Mayweather is too good to allow this to happen. He needs to erase this blemish on his resume for membership in the elite of the elite.