Floyd Mayweather's Next Fight Should Be Against Manny Pacquiao

After scoring a unanimous-decision win Saturday night over Marcos Rene Maidana and earlier in the week announcing that he'll be retiring from the sport next year, Floyd "Money" Mayweather's next fight should be against Manny Pacquiao.

The latter has some business of his own to attend to on Nov. 22 when he faces Chris Algieri, but assuming Pacquiao wins, it seems May would be the perfect time for the two men to finally meet in the ring. 

The question was posed Saturday night to Mayweather, but he was non-committal.

Mayweather's fights have traditionally taken place in May and September over the last several years, and agreeing to face Pacquiao in May 2015 would leave open the opportunity for a rematch in September 2015.

That would give both men a chance to double their pleasure on what figures to be one of—if not the—biggest mutual payday in the history of the sport.

For years, the boxing community has pined for the two biggest names in the sport to finally face each other. Over the years, they've traded barbs, called each other out and nearly agreed to fight. Tons of other drama has also occurred.

Up to now, it's been all smoke and no fire.

Some fans might even say the interest level isn't what it once was, and the fight simply isn't as big of a deal now as it would've been in 2009. 

There's some truth to that, but only hardcore fans of the sport are likely to feel that way. The casual fan who only responds to the sport when the biggest names are involved will still flock to see Mayweather and Pacquiao finally fight.

Let's face it: the casuals are who determines if a fight is a big deal commercially or just amongst diehards.

John Locher/Associated Press

Because both Mayweather and Pacquiao would still be at the top of the sport—assuming the latter beats Algieri—there should be enough hardcore fans that buy into the fight as well. Between them, they would be in possession of every recognized world title except the IBF title, which is held by England's Kell Brook.

While this setup isn't ideal, we're still talking about the two biggest icons the sport has seen since Mike Tyson hung up the gloves for good. Seeing them walk to the center of the ring in the first round would be a surreal moment.

Flash bulbs and digital cameras would be working overtime if this happens. For a fighter as great as Mayweather to end his career having never faced the man many believe will be his biggest test, and the only fighter who could challenge his status as best of the era, would be a shame.

Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

For Pacquiao, it would represent an opportunity to wipe away the memory of the humbling KO defeat he suffered at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez. In some way, this fight could offer closure for the athletes and fans.

If things fall into place, we'll finally get the fight we've been waiting five-plus years to see. Perhaps the tagline should be "Better Late Than Never."

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.