By Sander Rennarb Aznarrac Jr. When Pound for Pound King Floyd Mayweather retired from boxing in 2007, an anticipated big fight with then unbeaten WBO titlist Miguel Cotto did not materialize. His successive wins against Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton may have warranted him a break from boxing that earned him fame and fortune. Some doubted his retirement as a decent way to dodge speculated challenge from formidable welterweights in Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, and Shane Mosley as front runners.

From this point of view, Mayweather’s legacy as a great fighter was questioned. In his return appearance, he chose Marquez over credible opponent in Manny Paquiao as the current P4P King and from viable contenders in the welterweight division where he belongs Juan Manuel Marquez called for Mayweather in a catch weight gambling to emulate the successful tryst of Manny Paquiao (who have successfully fought higher weight categories vs. Diaz, dela Hoya and Hatton) in his obsession to land trilogy with Manny Paquiao to settle an unfinished business after two outings that resulted in a controversial draw and split decision.

Financial issues might have prompted Mayweather’s return to boxing but the following facts cannot be ignored – to have a megabout with Pacquiao; Mayweather retired from boxing without contending with Cotto, Margarito or Mosley. During that time, Pacquiao was still in the far lower divisions. With the “avoided” welterweights sporting losses already, he (Mayweather) may have already plausible reasons to show any interest to be pitted against them. I truly believe that Mayweather saw an opportunity to land the largest paycheck in his career by fighting Pacquiao. By any physical standards, Pacquiao who is the smaller man who rose from flyweight to welterweight is the lesser man. There’s no other fighter out there that can tempt Mayweather to return other than Pacquiao.

To reinforce our argument that Mayweather returned to boxing to fight Pacquiao, his choice to fight Juan Manuel Marquez need to be done. Marquez needs to fight Mayweather as stepping stone to have a trilogy with Pacquiao while Mayweather need to fight Marquez to have a feel of a targeted fight with the real deal. Criticism on Mayweather fighting smaller men to a bloated aging super featherweight in Marquez lends credence to Mayweather’s legacy of fighting smaller men and avoiding welterweights. I think it is a clever decision for Mayweather to have a gauge after two controversial Marquez-Pacquiao fights.

Why is Mayweather aiming for Pacquiao? It is obvious that Mayweather wanted to regain his throne as the P4P king. Right now Pacquiao is the top-dog in the sport. Any other fight will not equal in its financial enormity and impact to the sports of boxing. Besides, Mayweather has the edge in spite of his two years inactivity. The only question is: Can Mayweather’s mastery of the Sweet Science enough to fend Pacquiao’s vaunted Blitzkrieg that annihilated a number of boxing legends in different divisions?

Believe it or not, Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will happen whatever be the result of Pacquiao-Cotto fight come November 14.