(PUBLISHED ARTICLE) With Manny Pacquiao Gone, Floyd Mayweather Has No Where To Go But 'Down'

The March 13 bout with Manny Pacquiao has been cancelled. This announcement was heard all over the world with Bob Arum stating, "The fight's off."

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has demanded his way out of a potential $40 million fight with the Filipino star. What does he have to show for it?

Nothing.

Floyd Mayweather may be one of the biggest names in boxing. He's one of the biggest talents today. He's one of the biggest PPV draws.

But without Manny Pacquiao as a potential opponent, who else do the fans want to see? The winner of "Sugar" Shane Mosley and Andre Berto would be the obvious choice but they are locked in for a bout later this month.

Paul Williams is another huge choice. This maybe the most competitive fight for Mayweather.

But the thing is, Mayweather doesn't want to fight these guys, at least not at this moment. The big knock on Mayweather is the fact that he has so much talent but he has never really been tested.

He is afraid to test himself.

In my opinion, I think he would defeat these fighters that were just named but he has made him himself out to be some "cash cow" and says that he doesn't take on fighters who aren't PPV attractions.

This was one of his reasons for taking on Juan Manuel Marquez over Shane Mosley in his comeback fight.

It was a reason he chose not to fight Cotto. And also Margarito. All of these fighters would have greatly improve his chances of being called one of the greatest if they were all victims of his talent in the ring.

But the omittance of these fighters on his resume is a huge black mark to an otherwise glittering career.

No doubt that early in his career he fought fighters that were real threats to his unblemished record. But for him now, boxing is a business, evident from the ongoing instances which he believes that "legacy doesn't pay bills."

But I bet the Manny Pacquiao fight would have paid a lot of bills, Floyd. And at the same time built upon a great legacy.

This type of fight doesn't come around often. And negotiations have blown it thus far.

So what options does Floyd actually have?

Matthew Hatton? There are rumors that a fight with Ricky Hattons brother will be Floyd's next "victim." This is a joke and a far cry from the Pacquiao fight. This can actually do his legacy much harm.

Paulie Malignaggi was also another name that has come up, but this fight has no significance either. These two fights along with others will cause his legacy to suffer.

Maybe Floyd can drop down a weight class, and fight some of the young guns there. The likes of Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley, and Devon Alexander are hot shots in that division. But irony would ring if he chose anyone of that nature. Because although they are great fighters that may cause Floyd some trouble, "They aren't PPV attractions" as he once stated.

The fact is, Mayweather can't retire without fighting Pacquiao. And if he does, his otherwise shining career would be placed under a dim light in the Hall of Fame.

Bryant Maxwell can be reached at maxwritings@gmail.com