It takes two to make Money

MANILA, Philippines - Newly crowned WBC/WBA lightmiddleweight champion Floyd (Money) Mayweather might end up with close to $100 Million in the bank after accounting for the revenues generated by his fight against Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas last weekend. That would push his career earnings to about $380 Million.

Mayweather, 36, has four fights left in his Showtime TV contract and expects to earn at least $150 Million more before finally hanging up his gloves. But it takes two to make a pay-per-view blockbuster. Mayweather appears to be running out of credible opponents. Alvarez was supposed to push him to the limit but never came close to doing it. WBA/WBC lightwelterweight titlist Danny Garcia is in contention for a shot. The hitch is the 25-year-old Philadelphian is not a box office attraction. There is talk that the winner of the Devon Alexander-Amir Khan fight for the IBF welterweight crown on Dec. 7 will be next in line for Mayweather. Unfortunately, neither Alexander nor Khan has what it takes to create a frenzy at the turnstiles.

Three things are probably on Mayweather’s mind as he plans his future. First, he wants to finish up his career with earnings of $500 Million. That’s certainly within reach. With four fights to go in his Showtime deal, he needs to average $40 Million an outing to make it happen. Mayweather took in $40 Million apiece in beating Sugar Shane Mosley and Victor Ortiz and deposited $34 Million in trouncing Robert Guerrero. Ever since breaking away from Top Rank chairman Bob Arum and striking it out on his own in 2006, Mayweather hasn’t cleared less than $25 Million a fight. So he’s on track to achieve his goal of half a billion bucks.

Second, he wants to stay unbeaten. Mayweather is fixated in keeping the 0 in his record. The unblemished slate means a lot to Money. It’s his argument to claiming he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today because nobody can beat him. And third, he wants to cement his legacy as an all-time great by retiring as an unbeaten champion like the late heavyweight Rocky Marciano who didn’t risk a loss to Floyd Patterson and called it quits with a record of 49-0, including 43 KOs, in 1955. Mayweather could be shooting for a 50-0 record. Right now, his record is 45-0, with 26 KOs.

Mayweather said he’s walking away from the fight game in two years. “If he keeps winning, that would have him retiring after 49 bouts, equalling Marciano’s unbeaten record,” said Ron Lewis of The Times. “That seems unlikely. Mayweather, you imagine, does not want to share his place in history with anyone.” If Lewis’ theory is correct, Mayweather will go for 50.

Where Manny Pacquiao figures in Mayweather’s future is anybody’s guess. If Mayweather is looking for a credible opponent to create another pay-per-view blockbuster, he has to consider Pacquiao. The Filipino icon, however, has to dispose of Brandon Rios convincingly in Macau on Nov. 24 to enter the lucrative Mayweather sweepstakes.

Pacquiao and Mayweather were once close to coming to terms on a deal. They spoke on the phone and talked percentages. That was two years ago. Mayweather broke off the negotiations when he accused Pacquiao of not agreeing to random blood testing. It was obvious Mayweather didn’t like the odds in facing Pacquiao and on second thought, took a step back. Mayweather has never been known to be a risk taker. But now that Pacquiao has lost his WBO welterweight title to Timothy Bradley and was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez, Mayweather should feel confident about his chances to beat the Filipino.

If Khan dethrones Alexander, he could be in the queue for Mayweather, too. The next Mayweather fight is scheduled in May on the Cinco de Mayo weekend but that’s if his opponent is Mexican. Mayweather is open to fight in England and Khan, a Manchester hero, would be a logical candidate.

Khan, 26, has a 28-3 record, with 19 KOs. He has been knocked out by Breidis Prescott in one and Garcia in four and lost a split decision to Lamont Peterson. Khan recently ditched trainer Freddie Roach to hire Virgil Hunter. The problem with Khan is his lack of work ethic. Hunter said to beat Mayweather, Khan has to commit himself to the sport without compromises.

“You can’t take months off boxing, running here and there, and think you can come out into an eight-week camp and perform to the best of your ability,” said Hunter quoted by Lewis. “You have to live the life. If he’s going to be really competitive, he has to show the same dedication and desire Floyd shows. If he doesn’t, he’ll have a tough night.”

Mayweather won’t cash in if he fights patsies. He knows sooner or later, the road will lead to a collision course with Pacquiao. Mayweather isn’t cut out to fight in the 154-pound division and neither is Pacquiao. It’s in the welterweight division where Mayweather and Pacquiao will end their careers. There can’t be a more exciting showdown.