By Jake Donovan

Given the number of top welterweights fighting this weekend in Las Vegas, it’s only natural that discussion quickly turns to how Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fit into the equation.

At the MGM Grand (Saturday, Showtime, 9PM ET), Amir Khan and Devon Alexander collide in a 12-round bout in which no belt is at stake, but where the winner—especially if it’s Khan—is expected to move to the front of the line in the Mayweather sweepstakes. However, Keith Thurman plans to make a statement in his co-feature slot versus Leonard Bundu to plead his case to deserve the assignment.

In fact, the unbeaten Floridian has already begun his campaign, with verbal shots fired at Friday’s weigh-in.

“Floyd is supposed to be TBE—‘The Best Ever’, and I want to fight the best,” Thurman (23-0, 21KOs) told SHOWTIME’s Brian Custer shortly after weighing in for his 12-round bout with Bundu. “I want to fight THE man.”

Thurman holds an interim version of one of four alphabet belts in Mayweather’s possession. The interim label is supposed to ensure that said titlist eventually gets his crack at the ‘full’ version of the crown, or receive an upgrade in the event said full titlist doesn’t honor such obligations.

It’s been 17 months since Thurman won his belt, but hasn’t moved up any closer in line for a crack at Mayweather. Both fighters are advised by Al Haymon, but that didn’t stand in the way of Marcos Maidana getting two shots at the pound-for-pound and box-office king.

Thurman’s bouts have been nothing short of exciting, in the event his opponents last long enough. Julio Diaz bowed out after three rounds in Thurman’s most recent ring appearance, but Jesus Soto Karass and Diego Chavez were able to bring out the best in the unbeaten welterweight in separate thrillers in 2013.

While knockouts are frequent for Thurman, the same cannot be said for Mayweather, who has just two stoppage wins in his past 12 fights dating back to 2006. His last win inside the distance came in 2011, the infamous ‘cheap shot’ (as argued by many, although it came completely within the rules) against Victor Ortiz.

Given the manner in which they end their fights, Thurman sees no reason to fear the best fighter in the world, and wonders if such concerns in the other direction are why he’s yet to land his dream fight.

“It ain’t like Floyd’s gonna knock me out,” Thurman insists. “When was the last time Floyd knocked anyone out in the past few years. If anyone should be scared, it’s Floyd.

“I’m looking forward to destroying Mr. Floyd Mayweather. I have a new motto - Burn Money. Burn Money 2015. We getting ready to burn Money Mayweather.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox