Pacquiao/Mayweather upsets? The alternatives aren’t that bad either

This September former welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. returns to the ring to take on current lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez. Two months later, reigning junior welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao moves up to welterweight to challenge current titleholder Miguel Cotto. Both Mayweather and Pacquiao have rightful claims to the pound for pound throne and many fans are looking at these fights as semifinals to an eventual Mayweather – Pacquiao showdown.

However, what if upsets occur in these “semifinal” bouts? This writer doesn’t feel that that upsets are out of the question. Is the fallout of upsets really that bad?

Pacquiao vs. J.M. Marquez III

If Marquez pulls off the enormous upset over Mayweather and Pacquiao takes care of business against Cotto, we could have a trilogy on our hands between these two Mexican and Filipino warriors respectively. Their first two fights were action packed and razor close. They fought to a draw the first time with Marquez coming back after being knocked down three times in the first round to make it bout highly competitive and entertaining. In the second fight, Pacman won a narrow split decision.

There are many people out there who feel strongly that Marquez deserved the nod in these two fights. However, any way you have it, everyone can agree the fights were close and thrilling to watch.

In wake of Pacquiao annihilating David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton consecutively, Marquez is the only fighter in recent memory to make the reigning pound for pound king look human. Pacquiao’s already a huge star and a win over Mayweather for Marquez would make him one. A third fight between these two would certainly satisfy the hunger boxing fans have for good fights.

Mayweather vs. Cotto

Prior to Mayweather’s brief retirement from boxing, boxing fans were clamoring for a Mayweather – Cotto welterweight showdown. Mayweather was considered the lineal welterweight champ, while Cotto was a titleholder who had racked off wins against Shane Mosley and Zab Judah.

Due to Mayweathers retirement, the bout never happened. However, is it any less appealing now?

Mayweather is still undefeated. Cotto has one loss against Antonio Margarito, but a tainted loss due to the high suspicion that Margarito used gloves loaded with plaster of paris for that fight. Prior to Mayweather’s retirement there were some much respected boxing personalities picking Cotto to win if that fight were to happen.

If Cotto were to defeat Pacquiao, people would probably completely forget about the loss to Margarito. Mayweather has been accused of ducking Cotto in the past. This would be his chance to prove those detractors otherwise.

Cotto vs. Juan Manuel Marquez

Cotto has been in some absolute wars. Marquez has as well. If two improbable upsets were to take place this fall, a match-up between the spoilers could take place early next year. Considering both fighters histories, this one would have brawl written all over it.

So while I’m not saying these four fighters are Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Duran, I do like the possibilities of the fights that be made amongst them. Bring it on!