By Robert “Big Moe” Elmore: Floyd Maweather stepped away from the ring after his unanimous decision over Shane Mosley last year. In a recent interview, Floyd stated that he’s not young any more and that fighting three or four times a year is not healthy at this point in his career. He has a good point. I’m pretty sure he’s keeping himself in good shape while away from the ring. He might spar here and there, but let’s be real.

Sparring does not take the place of actual fighting. Your partner has let up a little during sparing. On fight night, it’s a totally different atmosphere. The lights are brighter, the crowds are roaring, and the intensity is up. The bad thing about sitting out long periods of time is that the body and mind adjust to a normal schedule. It takes a lot to get back in the thick of things. The thing working in Mayweather’s favor is that people are in anticipation for his return to the ring. So who ever he fights next, it’ll be one hot ticket. People are intrigued by a fighter that takes time off and come back (Ray Leonard, George Foreman) and win a big fight. Right now the options are endless when it comes to finding opponents.

Manny Pacquiao has been a wrecking machine in the ring. This has been coupled by his work as Congressman. He is coming off a victory over Shane Mosley. Before that fight came off, a deal was offered to Juan Manuel Marquez for a third bout. So it seems pretty obvious Pac wants to fight often (in this case it’s twice a month). Arum will have no problem finding opponents for Manny to face. Timothy Bradley will more than likely sign to Top Rank when his contract is up with Gary Shaw thus aligning himself with a possible fight with Pacquiao. Then you have Zab Judah, Miguel Cotto, and newly signed Kermit Citron. If things are lined up correctly, Pacquiao could have fights set up until November 2013. The bad part about this is wear and tear can takes its toll on his body. And I haven’t even thrown father time in the mix. Without proper rest, the body can not heal like it should. Pac should take advantage of this and at least take one fight off considering the fact that he’s had fifty six bouts.

If the mega fight does come off, by human nature excuses will be made by both Mayweather and Pacquiao fans depending on the results. If Mayweather opts not to take a tune up and jumps in the ring with Manny and loses, his fans will say “He has been sitting out for a year. He didn’t have a tune up”. If Manny loses, it will be “He’s been in the ring with bigger fighters, and he’s starting to slow down and look his age”. Yes, I admit I’m a Mayweather fan. And if Mayweather loses, I will not make one excuse. And if he wins, I will give him his just due. And if Pac wins, I will give him his just do. And if he loses, I won’t hold anything against him. It will be the better won the fight