Floyd Mayweather's Next Fight Should Not Be a Rematch with Manny Pacquiao

After years of waiting for Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, the fight is finally in the books. The MGM Grand in Las Vegas was packed with major celebrities from entertainment and sports and the pay-per-view sales overwhelmed cable providers around the country, forcing a delay to the main event. 

But in the end, Saturday night was a lot like many of Mayweather's previous 47 fights, as he cruised to a one-sided, unanimous decision. 

It had been noted during the build-up to this fight that there was no rematch clause in the contract. It's fortunate that the clause was left out. Because there definitely does not need to be a rematch between these two fighters. 

Pacquiao will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. His climb from flyweight champion to top welterweight star has been a remarkable achievement. 

But against Mayweather, he was thoroughly outclassed. 

Maybe if this fight had happened three to five years ago, when Pacquiao was a more explosive fighter, it would have been a different story. But at this point in his career, Pacquiao simply doesn't have the tools to force a competitive fight with Mayweather. 

Pacquiao had some moments in the fight, to be sure. He deserved to win two rounds at a minimum and four if you are being completely generous. 

But at every stage of the fight, Mayweather was able to control the range and tempo of the fight behind his jab and sneaky right hand. Every single round where Pacquiao rallied in any significant manner, Mayweather came out quickly and re-took control of the fight in the next round. 

Pacquiao's angle of attack throughout the battle was predictably straightforward. He was never able to grab an angle that would allow him to finesse Mayweather's substantial reach advantage. 

Pacquiao made Max Kellerman's jaw drop when he informed the HBO broadcaster during the post-fight interview that he thought he won the fight. That was pure emotion talking, and likely sour grapes as well. 

Pacquiao was never able to get off with enough punches or launch sufficient flurries to even make the fight seem questionable to any unbiased observer. 

Chris Carlson/Associated Press/Associated Press

Mayweather has said he plans to retire after one more fight. At this point, the type of fight I would like to see him end on is against a young, physically imposing welterweight. Undefeated IBF champion Kell Brook of England is a skilled, rugged fighter. 

Keith Thurman has been steadily building himself into a star in recent years. In his last fight, he beat Robert Guerrero worse than Mayweather did in 2013. 

Brook and Thurman are two fighters who represent the future of the sport. They have the size, skill and physical tools to present a real threat to Mayweather at this point, something Pacquiao was clearly unable to do. 

For the future of the sport, those are the kind of fighters Mayweather needs to face next.