Floyd Mayweather was expected to face the toughest test of his career when he stepped into the ring with unbeaten Mexican Saul Alvarez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
After the 36-year-old delivered what was nothing short of a masterclass display against the South American, it was soon being argued that the five-weight world champion had little left to achieve in a sport that he has been widely regarded as the pound-for-pound king for many a year.
However, the Michigan fighter has a lengthy television deal that commits him to several more bouts, while Mayweather himself has already stated that he will return in 2014.
Despite the task of ending Mayweather's unbeaten record being one of the most daunting asks in sport, it is also one of the most lucrative, and many men will be using the remainder of 2013 to put themselves in line for a shot at the former Olympic bronze medallist next May.
After he got the better of Lucas Matthysse on the undercard in Nevada on Saturday night, Danny Garcia looks to be the early favourite to earn a showdown with Mayweather, and it's one that few could argue against.
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The 25-year-old is unbeaten in 27 bouts and is the current WBC, WBA (Super) and Ring Magazine light-welterweight champion, while he also has the notable scalps of Amir Khan, Erik Morales, Zab Judah and Matthysse on his record.
Garcia would likely have to get past a mandatory challenger before any potential fight with Mayweather, but if he does, there doesn't appear to be much to deny the Philadelphia man his chance, while the exchanges between their respective fathers would only add fire to the flames in the build-up.
Mayweather senior has already made it known that he would prefer his son to face Khan, and the Bolton fighter has not been shy in stating that he would jump at the opportunity to face Mayweather, whether that be in Las Vegas or at Wembley Stadium.
But Khan should be focused on trying to overcome the challenge of Devon Alexander before he contemplates a future tussle with Mayweather, because another high-profile loss will leave his career - and a dream match with Mayweather - in tatters.
There's no doubting that Mayweather versus Khan is one of the most marketable fights that can be made, but the Brit needs to regain some respectability to justify his time in the spotlight, and Mayweather has already insisted that the 26-year-old needs a world title around his waist.
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Alexander is also vying for a battle with Mayweather and he will be favourite to defeat the Brit, but whoever emerges from their New York fight isn't a certainty to be thrown in with Floyd.
Kell Brook is the mandatory to Alexander's IBF belt and providing that he overcomes Vyacheslav Senchenko, he will argue that the victor must put their title on the line early in 2014, while there's a whole range of other fighters who could stake their claim for a huge pay-day.
The winner of Timothy Bradley against Juan Manuel Marquez is another strong possibility, with Marquez potentially eyeing redemption after a unanimous points loss to Mayweather in 2009.
The possibility of a Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao showdown is one scenario that never completely goes away, and while it is the most lucrative fight that could be made in boxing, the general feeling is that the Filipino star is a couple of years past his best after back-to-back defeats.
Middleweight world champion Sergio Martinez will be deemed as an outsider to end his distinguished career against Mayweather, while Marcos Maidana will throw his name into the hat should he overcome Adrien Broner late in 2013.
Darren Plant
