Floyd Mayweather Jr. Announces Comeback: Fight with Pacquiao on the Horizon?

Hours before the Pacquiao-Hatton superfight took place, Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KO's) officially unretired and announced his comeback to boxing. This is typical Mayweather style as he wants the attention all to himself. Mayweather is scheduled to fight against Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO's) on July 18, 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will be broadcast by HBO PPV and at a catchweight of 143 pounds.

Marquez is a very quality opponent and currently Pound for Pound #2 on most lists. Marquez is coming off exciting knockout wins over Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz. Marquez has also fought Manny Pacquiao twice, being knocked down four times in total but taking a draw in the first fight and losing a split decision in the second fight. There are many people who thought that Marquez beat Pacquiao in one or even both fights.

Mayweather last fought in December 2007 against then undefeated Ricky Hatton, knocking him out in 10 rounds. Since Floyd's retirement from boxing, he has been involved with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), appearing at Wrestlemania 24, beating the Big Show, a 7-foot, 500 pound giant. Wrestling was not Mayweather's first attempt at publicity in other media. He also was a contestant on the dancing competition, "Dancing with the Stars" before his fight with Hatton.

It was also highly publicized that Mayweather would make the transition to mixed martial arts (MMA), even meeting with UFC President Dana White on a proposed fight with a UFC champion but nothing materialized. Mayweather later said that he respects MMA fighters and what they do but he had no plans on fighting in mixed martial arts. At the time Mayweather retired, he was known as the best boxer in the world. That crown is now owned by Filipino Manny Pacquiao who knocked out Hatton in two rounds, dropping him three times in total. This was one of Pac-Man's greatest performances and his best 1-punch knockout in his illustrious career. Hatton was on the canvas for 10 minutes.

Ever since Floyd announced that he is coming back to boxing and Pacquiao's two round destruction of Ricky Hatton, fans have been asking for a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight. Pacquiao will probably fight the winner of Marquez vs. Mayweather. If the fight is to happen in the future, it would be the biggest fight since De La Hoya vs. Mayweather and has a chance to break all PPV records. Pacquiao's current promoter is Bob Arum, while Mayweather split with Arum in 2006. There have been rumors that he will team up with Don King but nothing has been confirmed.

One thing is for certain. With the return of Floyd Mayweather and the dominance of Manny Pacquiao, it is bringing a lot of attention back to boxing which can only be a good thing for the sport and its fans.