By Edward Chaykovsky
Max Kellerman, boxing analyst and part of the HBO broadcast team, says Floyd Mayweather Jr. is going to need an opponent on the level of Manny Pacquiao if he intends to block the potential Miguel Cotto vs. Saul Alvarez showdown from securing the lucrative Cinco De Mayo date of May 2nd.
For a few years now, Mayweather has been able to block anyone from taking that date from him. Cotto-Canelo, considered by many as the second biggest fight in boxing, is viewed as being strong enough to take away the May 2 date from Mayweather.
To move Cotto vs. Canelo away from May 2, Kellerman says Mayweather is going to need Pacquiao.
"Cotto and Canelo are talking about fighting on Cinco De Mayo weekend. And Floyd in recent years has been able to move whomever he likes off that weekend by fighting just anyone....just by fighting. For the first time now, Floyd can't move a fight off of Cinco De Mayo weekend without Pacquiao as a dance partner. Floyd against anyone else....Cotto and Canelo keep that date," Kellerman told The Fight Game.
"I think he's really psychologically interested in Pacquiao for that reason. Whether or not it happens, on Cinco De Mayo weekend....it could easily be a bait and switch, where he moves those guys or scares those guys off that date and winds up fighting somebody else. But I do think Mayweather-Pacquiao happens at some point [in 2015]."
But there is an interesting development in boxing circles. Rumors are becoming even stronger that Mayweather is trying to secure Cotto for a rematch on May 2. If they do a rematch, likely at a catchweight of 154.5 or 155, it would give Mayweather the chance to become the only fighter in history to hold three WBC world titles in three weight divisions at the same time. For Cotto, a chance at revenge with trainer Freddie Roach in his corner. In facing Cotto again, Mayweather would also gain the May 2 date and fight a dangerous opponent who actually has a shot to win.
