WBC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION Floyd Mayweather is set to step back into the ring on May 5 – but his opponent will be Miguel Cotto and not Manny Pacquiao, as had been hoped.

Mayweather v Pacquiao is the most anticipated fight in world boxing right now and it looked a possibility when the 34-year-old’s 90-day jail sentence was delayed until June 1.

On Twitter, Mayweather called his biggest rival a ‘punk’ and made him a challenge, but Pacquaio’s camp have put it off, leaving few options and ‘Money’ has had to look elsewhere.

After the Nevada State Athletic Commission granted a one-fight licence, it was announced that junior middleweight titleholder Cotto will take him on in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Miguel Cotto is a world-class fighter who can never be taken for granted and continues to prove he is one of the best in boxing,” said Mayweather on ESPN.com.

“It will be a challenge for me to compete with him at this weight, but this is the type of test I thrive on and gives me the motivation to train even harder.

“I have no doubt in my mind that my title belt collection will increase once again and Cotto’s reign as champion will come to an end on May 5.”

And this is what he tweeted immediately after the announcement:

Pacquiao is now nearing a match-up with Timmy Bradley Jr, with a June 9 date being put aside. “We’re discussing the fight with both parties,” Top Rank president Todd duBoef told ESPN.com.

“We’re in the process of having the conversations with (Bradley manager) Cameron (Dunkin) and we’re also having them with the Pacquiao team. It’s a very active dialogue.”

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