By Edward Chaykovsky

WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley was always a big admirer of the fighting style of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather (49-0, 26KOs) retired last month after dominating Andre Berto over twelve rounds. He was recognized as the pound-for-pound king of boxing and conquered world titles in five weight divisions.

With Mayweather leaving, the industry has been debating as to which fighter deserves to be called the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Many have tabbed WBC flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez as the top guy. Others views WBA/IBO middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin as the guy to take over.  

Bradley, who returns to the ring next month against Brandon Rios, says the pound for pound spot should go to super middleweight champion Andre Ward or eight division beltholder Manny Pacquiao.

"It sucks that Mayweather is leaving, but his time has come and if he wants to come back he can do so, he still has it. Secondly on filling that void, there will never be another Mayweather, probably not in this era right now but there is room to be the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the game. I think right now it’s a toss up between Manny Pacquiao and possibly Andre Ward — who are two sensational fighters," Bradley told On The Ropes Boxing Radio.

Bradley has his own ideas as well. He wants to put together a serious run of wins to make his claim to the top pound for pound seat.

"I would love to be the number one pound for pound fighter in the world, but at the same time, you have to have partners to dance with to the able to prove that. The way the nature of the sport is going, the direction it’s going in, I don’t know if I’ll ever have that opportunity to be able to partner up with certain fighters. I would love an opportunity to fight all of the best fighters in the welterweight division to claim that spot," Bradley said.