Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Bout Will Set Table for Floyd Mayweather

Before boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao can even consider fighting loudmouth winner Floyd Mayweather, he has to take on veteran Juan Manuel Marquez.

If that seems like a lot of adjectives describing these fighters you are completely right.

We have the boxing sensation Pacquiao, who is often regarded as one of the best boxers in the world.

Then there is loudmouth winner Floyd Mayweather. There is no doubting that he has tendency to be dramatic, overbearing and talk more than he can back up, but you can't deny his record.

Finally there is Marquez, who simply is a veteran fighter.

You may be wondering how all three of these boxing names fit together...

Pacquiao and Marquez are slated to fight for the third time in their respective careers on November 12. 2011, where Pacquiao is the heavy favorite to win.

This was the story of the boxing world, but of course Mayweather felt the need to put himself into the equation, and that is where the three will meet.

Dan Rafael of ESPN reports of Mayweather's intentions:

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Instead, Mayweather, who knocked out Victor Ortiz on Sept. 17, will make a relatively hasty return: May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, adviser Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com on Wednesday night.

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.

Pacquiao is set to fight Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand and is a heavy favorite.

"Floyd made it very clear that he wants to give the fans the biggest fights that are out there. He wants to stay active," Ellerbe said. "We're going to do everything in our power to make the biggest fight out there for the fans and we all know what the fight is."

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Pacquiao may be gearing up for his bout with Marquez, but a potential fight with Mayweather is already on everybody's mind.

There is no doubting that it would be one of the most epic, if not the most anticipated, sporting events of all time; but the fact remains this is all just talk.

If the world wants to see Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, they need to endure Pacquiao vs. Marquez first.

In fact, Pacquiao needs to endure that fight first as well.

Through all the rumors, hype and the speculation, he has a battle to win coming up very soon. Pacquiao can't afford to become distracted with the Mayweather situation until the Marquez fight is over.

Either way, Pacquiao's battle with Marquez is starting to become the world's greatest appetizer.

It's going to be good, but the boxing world is waiting for the main course.