ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey, 29 June 2005 — Undefeated World Boxing Council super lightweight champion Floyd Mayweather could move up to the welterweight ranks after claiming his third crown in as many weight classes.

Mayweather improved to 34-0 with his 23rd early stoppage here Saturday by knocking out fellow American Arturo Gatti after six rounds, making an impressive display of hand speed and ring dominance.

“Now he can start making money,” said promoter Bob Arum, who can select from the light welterweight-super lightweight ranks or send Mayweather up into the welterweight division in quest of a better payday.

Mayweather could face a rival champion at his current weight, England’s unbeaten International Boxing Federation champion Ricky Hatton (39-0) or World Boxing Association champion Carlos Maussa of Colombia (19-2).

Arum said he also could have Mayweather rise to 147 pounds (66.8 kilos), where US star Zab Judah is the undisputed world champion. Judah (34-2) issued a challenge Monday for Mayweather to meet him at welterweight.

“Floyd knows what I bring to the table and I know what he’s got,” Judah said. “If he wants to move up to 147, I’m waiting here for him because I always want to fight the best guys out there.”

Don King, Judah’s promoter, would love the payday a Mayweather-Judah fight would bring.

“He can unify world titles at 140 pounds but the real fight the public wants to see is Judah versus Mayweather,” King said. “Id like to see Floyd accept Zab’s challenge for what would be one of the all-time-great matches.”

Hatton would welcome a first title defense against Mayweather but having one or the other first fight Maussa and then meeting for an undisputed crown in a showdown of unbeaten is a more likely scenario.

Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, also promoted by Arum, is a possible rival as well. Arum said he would not match lesser-regarded World Boxing Organization champion Cotto against Mayweather for some time.

Mayweather also has had legal issues. He faces a trial on a felony battery charge against a girlfriend with whom he fathered a child, although she has changed her story of a domestic violence incident.