Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana 2: Projecting Next Fight for Both Fighters

Floyd Mayweather Jr. handled Marcos Maidana with relative ease in Saturday's rematch, winning in a unanimous decision to improve to 47-0.

It was an expected outcome, a step back for Maidana and not exactly a step forward for Mayweather based on his own evaluation, per Showtime Sports:

So what's next for both fighters?

Best to start with Maidana, whose quality of opponent can only decrease from this level.

LaceUpBoxing did a nice job of summarizing the self-punitive tactics Maidana chose to deploy, which were in line with what he did the last time around against Mayweather on May 3:

Maidana lost that first fight by majority decision, and he insisted on throwing as many punches as possible yet again. As was the case before, Mayweather was far more proficient.

As Mayweather drifted and dodged his way through the latter rounds with the win well in hand, Maidana couldn't mount any momentum. ESPN Stats and Info highlighted how ineffective El Chino was:

Another American seems like an ideal fit for Maidana's follow-up: Adrien Broner. Maidana seized the WBA welterweight title from Broner in a unanimous decision in December 2013.

The defeat is the lone blemish on Broner's 29-1 record, so it would be a fascinating battle.

The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas has been Mayweather's venue of choice ever since his bout with Oscar De La Hoya in 2007—a span of 10 fights. As his career winds closer to a conclusion, Mayweather's sights may be abroad for his next appearance in the ring.

Before Saturday's title clash with Maidana, Mayweather professed his interest in fighting at Wembley Stadium in London, England, per The Telegraph's Gareth A. Davies:

"

Never say never. It’s hard to say where my next fight will be and I have always included the UK as a possibility for a fight in the future.

[...] I love and appreciate all of my fans in the UK. I have gone on record saying they are some of the best boxing fans, as they know and appreciate the sport. They turn out in record numbers to the fights they have over there and have [traveled] to Las Vegas on numerous occasions to attend my fights and others, too. They are great vocal fans and I appreciate hearing them in the stands.

"

The obvious opponent in that scenario would be Amir Khan. King Khan packs serious power behind his punches, as evidenced in his 29-3 record that features 19 knockouts. However, Khan has shown stamina as of late, winning unanimous decisions over Julio Diaz and Luis Collazo in his past two bouts.

Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe has touted Khan as a potential adversary, via Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports:

At the ripe age of 27, Khan is 10 years younger than Mayweather, so he ought to have the benefit of fresher legs. The big question would be whether he could pace himself for 12 rounds against the greatest technician of his era.

It would be nice to see Mayweather take on a change of scenery, and leaving his familiar stomping grounds for a quality opponent would eliminate sources of ammunition for his detractors. What's most important is that Mayweather ends his career with a bang, rather than with a couple of clearly inferior opponents he's universally expected to crush.

Khan seems like the logical choice, barring an unforeseen development that sees Mayweather schedule a fight with Manny Pacquiao. That appears to be a perpetual pipe dream with Mayweather's expected retirement looming in September 2015.

With just two fights left until then, if he doesn't face Pacquiao, Mayweather must make a strong impression. Otherwise, it will be an anticlimactic end to a brilliant career, and that final impression will ultimately leave a dent in his legacy.