After defeating Manny Pacquiao on May 2, Floyd Mayweather still hasn't chosen his next opponent.

Mayweather has said numerous times that he plans on fighting Sept. 12 of this year in what could be his very last professional career fight. Mayweather extended his career undefeated mark to 48-0 after defeating Pacquiao in his last bout. Many boxing fans want Mayweather to face Thurman in his next fight because he is a young and skilled up and comer, but it is very complicated.

Thurman is scheduled to face Luis Collazo on Saturday, July 11. For most boxers, to prepare for a Sept. 12 match against the WBA Welterweight champion just two months after a fight just wouldn't work. However, Thurman recently spoke out about the topic.

“Considering my heart and my desire to fight Floyd Mayweather, to me it is possible. I do have this fight [Saturday], and anything can happen in this fight. Hopefully everything goes well; we have a terrific knockout performance like we want to have; and we walk out with no injuries” Thurman told ESPN.

Thurman is currently ranked No. 4 in the Welterweight division today behind only Mayweather, Pacquiao and Kell Brook. He, like Mayweather, has an unbeaten record with 25 wins and 21 knockouts. His last victory came against Robert Guerrero in March. Thurman is one of the best power punchers, if not the best, in the Welterweight division today, and he is just 26 years old.

Why would Mayweather want to fight Thurman? Why take such a huge risk against a knockout artist who is 12 years younger than him? It comes down to money and legacy.

After the huge letdown that was Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, fans won't get fooled again. Hardcore boxing fans will always order Mayweather fights, but casual sports fans are shying away and saving their money. Fans aren't going to break the bank to watch Mayweather face Amir Khan or Marcos Maidana for a third time. Rumors have even swirled that Mayweather's next fight could air on CBS instead of pay-per-view. Who would have thought that was a possibility?

The other reason of course being legacy. His victory over Pacquiao wasn't very convincing, and Pacquiao is far past his prime. A win over "One Time" Thurman would solidify Mayweather's mark in boxing history. Thurman would be a very tough opponent for Mayweather, maybe even his toughest since Oscar De La Hoya back in 2007, who many fans still believe won the fight.

This potential matchup would be just what boxing fans want: One of the best pound for pound defensive specialists of all-time against an emerging powerful superstar. If Thurman and Mayweather did square off, more than likely it would be on pay-per-view because of the demand. Thurman is widely known for airing his fights on cable television, but this mega-fight could boost huge ratings.

Thurman must of course defeat Puerto Rican boxer Collazo this weekend if he wants any shot at facing Mayweather in the future. Collazo defeated Chris Degollado of Mexico in his last bout, but was dominated against Khan in his prior fight.

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