Manny Pacquiao: Richest Fight Looms With Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2012

With Floyd Mayweather's announcement of his upcoming  fight with WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz on his Twitter page Tuesday, the fight everyone in the world wants to see could finally happen in May or November next year.

Mayweather's confirmation of his September 17 fight with Ortiz may be construed as a tune-up fight and a prelude to a mega fight with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is scheduled to collide with Mexican counter puncher Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

However, there are some "roadblocks" which could scuttle what appears to be the world's richest fight in boxing history.

First, Marquez must hurdle his pre-Pacquiao fight (possibly against David Diaz) to be eligible to face Pacquiao on November 12.

If no upset win takes place, Pacquiao is ripe for a chance to finally face Mayweather possibly in May 2012 either in Las Vegas or Arlington, Texas. Historically, Pacquiao fights twice a year, with most fights happening in May and November.

Secondly, Mayweather must win over Ortiz on September 17 or he will lose his marketability. During negotiations, It is doubtful if Pacquiao will agree to 50-50 purse sharing knowing Mayweather is coming off a loss to less rated fighter.

In the interim, it is possible Pacquiao will give in to the desires and wishes of boxing fans and face Sergio Martinez or Timothy Bradley after getting past Marquez in November.

A fight with Martinez or Bradley will most likely happen in May 2012. And since it takes at least a year for Mayweather to prepare for his succeeding fight, boxing fans can look forward to the mega fight happening in November 2012.

Still, there are questions which need well-thought answers before the promoters can set a date for the mega fight to happen.  

But what if Marquez pulls off with an upset? What if Ortiz pulls a fast one over Mayweather as he did with Andre Berto? What if a win by either Pacquiao or Mayweather would leave much to be desired or not appealing to the fans?

These and similar questions are usually considered by promoters in determining whether the match is financially viable and acceptable to boxing public.

A more definite match-up and fight schedule can be made after the Pacquiao vs. Marquez trilogy on November 12.