Fallen boxing star Manny Pacquiao is not ready to hang up his gloves to soar into retirement and, instead, wants to see longtime rival Floyd Mayweather in the ring.
According to Pac-Man, his career is far from over and wants to prove he can take down Money Mayweather. During a recent interview with ANC, the English news channel of Filipino TV station ABS-CBN, Manny Pacquiao called Floyd Mayweather Jr. “cocky, boastful,” and claimed that Juan Manuel Marquez landed a “lucky punch” during their fight in December. “For us, Mayweather is cocky, boastful,” said Pacquiao, who turns 35 in December and whose differences with Mayweather over random drug testing contributed to failed negotiations for a megabout between the two. “I can prove to him I can still win. I lost to Marquez but it’s just a lucky punch, just part of the game. I was not dominated. If he wants to fight, let’s fight.” (Ring TV)
A few days ago, Floyd revealed what it would take for him to cave into Pacquiao’s desire to fight. “Everybody’s like, ‘Aw, Pacquiao,’ but I’m just letting you know he’s not getting a fight with me,” Mayweather said. “The only way he’s getting the fight with me is if he signs with Mayweather Promotions. He’s got to give me fights with Mayweather Promotions. If he don’t give me no fights under Mayweather Promotions, then he’s not getting the fight. That’s how it is working now, because the ball is in my court. The ball has been in my court. I have been the A side.” (Yahoo Sports)
Some boxing enthusiasts suggest the proposed fight would likely not take place until next year.
It’s a nice thought, but Pacquiao should probably focus on Brandon Rios first. The fact of the matter is, Mayweather is going to be there in 2014 no matter what. Win, lose or draw against Alvarez, he has a lengthy deal with Showtime to finish out. The same can’t be said for Pacquiao, who promised Freddie Roach he’d retire if he got knocked out a second consecutive time. Everything is lined up for Mayweather-Pacquiao in 2014, but only if the latter part of that equation lives up to his end of the bargain. Will he? We’ll find out soon enough. (Opposing Views)
Earlier this year, G-Unit head 50 Cent said Mayweather walked away from an opprotunity to bank at least $100 million to fight Manny.
“Yes, he did duck the fight, that’s $100 million and you just left it,” 50 Cent explained. “I mean for two reasons – I think he concentrates on how much someone else is getting paid as opposed to how much he’s actually getting paid and then I think he kind of sees himself in a space that no one else sees himself in, that he’s so high on top of it that he shouldn’t give some of other great fighters a chance to be in that position at this point. It is true, he could fight a cab driver and we would be tuned into it. … He’s not afraid of Pacquiao or any fighter. I think it’s more of him saying, ‘Who do I have to fight?’ At this point, it’s more about him finding the perfect opponent…” (First Take)
