Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Mayweather Challenge Puts More Pressure on Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is still preparing for one of the biggest fights of his career, but it is his long-time nemesis Floyd Mayweather and the potential super fight that we have all wanted to see for years that is getting all the headlines today. 

According to a report by Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, Mayweather wants to fight again on May 5 and he wants it to be against Pacquiao.

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Mayweather's opponent has not been determined but Ellerbe said, "We're looking to make the biggest fight possible and everyone knows what that fight is, the little fella."

Ellerbe was, of course, referring to Manny Pacquiao. The welterweight champions and the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world have been on a collision course for years. However, negotiations have fallen apart over drug testing protocol.

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Don't think that this wasn't a calculated move by Mayweather. By putting it out there now, he is putting even more pressure on Pacquiao to not only defeat Marquez on Nov. 12 but to make sure that a deal to make the super fight finally happens. 

If Pacquiao loses to Marquez, the super fight falls off the table, or at the very least loses all of its luster.

If he wins, he has no reason left to not fight Mayweather. The fans want to see it, Mayweather wants it to happen, or says he does, and Pacquiao has nothing to prove against anyone else. 

This is the fight that both Pacquiao and Mayweather have been building to their entire careers. If it doesn't happen if Pacquiao defeats Marquez, then it will never happen. 

Mayweather is not stupid, contrary to popular belief, and he wants the world to know that this is the fight that he wants. 

Pacquiao is focused on the task directly in front of him, but he is going to have to deal with as many questions about Mayweather over the next eight days as he is Marquez. 

That is exactly the way that Mayweather wants it, and the last thing that Pacquiao wanted heading into the fight with Marquez. The pressure is on Pacquiao's shoulders like never before.