The Neutral Corner

BY MARCUS HENRY

To be honest, what Floyd Mayweather does next is anyone's guess. He's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Miguel Cotto backers will certainly protest that last statement. And rightfully so. But right now, it's Mayweather. There isn't a fighter in the game that makes people miss like Mayweather. And no one does it as effortlessly as he does. He also showed some power in his 10th TKO victory over Ricky Hatton.

The question is what is next for him. Believe or not a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya is not out of the question. Not sure why either fighter would even entertain that idea. I covered the May 5th tilt between them. And Mayweather is too young and too elusive for De La Hoya, who would be pushing age 36 by time the fight is made. A more logical slate of opponents would be Antonio Magarito, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Shane Mosley or even Kermit Cintron. Truthfully, a fight against one of the aforementioned five fighters would be better for boxing.

The only fighters amongst them who has enough of a name to draw big money are Cotto and Mosley. But some boxing experts will argue that Cotto might be too big for Mayweather. And Mosley's age (he's 36) would be a big issue.

The bottom line is money talks. Mayweather got $20 million for the De La Hoya fight. If De La Hoya came calling again and the money is right, don't be shocked if you see the two mix it up again. I'd be lying if I said that fight wouldn't be a waste of time.

RIP longtime boxing writer and historian Hank Kaplan. He will be missed.