Would a black boxer stand a better chance against Manny Pacquiao than his most recent competition?

Bernard Hopkins believes so. And while boxing fans wait -- and wait -- for Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to finally agree to terms for a fight, Hopkins is asserting that a black fighter's style would give Pacquiao more of a challenge than Antonio Margarito was able to muster against Pacquiao on Saturday night, according to a story on Fanhouse.com.

And Hopkins -- who said he's voicing what other black fighters and fight fans are thinking but reluctant to say -- is wondering why Pacquiao hasn't fought Mayweather "or any other top-notch black fighter," according to the report.

"Floyd Mayweather would beat Manny Pacquiao because the styles that African-American fighters -- and I mean, black fighters from the streets or the inner cities -- would be successful," said Hopkins, according to Fanhouse.com. "I think Floyd Mayweather would pot-shot Pacquiao and bust him up in between the four-to-five punches that Pacquiao throws and then set him up later on down the line."

Pacquiao fought and defeated Joshua Clottey of Ghana

earlier this year, but Hopkins discounted that win, saying "Clottey is 'black,' but not a 'black boxer' from the states with a slick style."