After Pacquiao vs. Cotto what's next for both?

November 5, 7:08 PMPittsburgh Fight Sports ExaminerScott Heritage

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Pacquiao meets the press (AP Photo/Jae C.Hong) 

Pacquiao vs. Cotto is just a few days away, and thoughts will soon turn to what either fighter will do after the fight is over.

On the one hand there is a lot of money to be made by either should they win, not to mention Manny's political aspirations. On the other is a possible showdown with Floyd Mayweather for the winner and the calls for the retirement of the loser.

(AP Photo/Lori Shepler)

If Pacquiao wins

If Pac-man emerges victorious then the talk will probably turn to him fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr., although whether this will ever happen will depend largely on the negotiating skills of their relative camps. Should he get the fight with Floyd, Manny will have proven himself the best fighter in the sport and also made the biggest pay day he could. From there a retirement and entry to the world of Filipino politics looks like the most likely course of action. If the Mayweather fight doesn't come off, then Pacquiao can either retire anyway or look for another fight from the remaining welterweight champions. He could test himself at yet another weight, but the size differences might start to become too much of a risk.

If Pacquiao loses

If Pacquiao loses, then not only will Pacland possibly implode, but so might his Welterweight aspirations. Whether or not Manny would try to fight a different champion, retire or would take on a challenger or two is he loses is something he would decide at a much later date. The fight with Floyd Mayweather would very likely never come off if he loses however, probably with Floyd smugly bragging that Pacquiao isn't good enough to fight him.

                                                                                                    To Mayweather the winner? (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

If Cotto wins

Should Miguel Cotto do what many are claiming is nigh on impossible, then he will undoubtedly be a target for every boxer within the nearest weight classes. Who he might pick probably doesn't matter too much for the Puerto Rican, who seems happy to be fighting regardless of the opponent.

Floyd Mayweather might be tempted to take a fight against Cotto due to his speed advantage, but if Cotto has beaten Pacquiao already this might put Floyd off. Other options would include rematches with Shane Mosley and the one man ever to defeat him, Antonio Margarito. Although Cotto would probably love to avenge his sole loss, he might not want to help out 'hands of plaster' Margarito by making him a huge fight purse.

If Cotto loses

Should Cotto lose, which is expected by everyone from the bookmakers to some of his own fans, then he seems to be stuck in limbo. Cotto will find himself in a similar position to Ricky Hatton, a great fighter but not good enough against an all time great like Pacquiao.

Retirement would no doubt be rumored, although the lure of more titles might draw Cotto back in for a few more fights. Rematches might again be at the top of the agenda, or consolidating some of the Welterweight titles against the likes of Andre Berto.