ShareThisMANILA – Now it can be told – the mega boxing fight – the richest in history – between world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. will happen after all.
The American fighter already expressed willingness to fight the Filipino boxing icon.
Already, the purse in the fight is eyed in the neighborhood of $50 to $60 million, the biggest in world boxing history.
In a press conference on his upcoming fight against Victor “Vicious” Ortiz, Mayweather told the boxing fans that he wants to fight Pacquiao, an announcement that elicited cheers from the crowd.
“When I mean fans, that goes to the Pacquiao fans, too. Do I want a Pacquiao fight? Absolutely!” Mayweather said as quoted bywww.philboxing.com.
Mayweather said it is now up to their boxing promoters to make the much-sought Pacquiao-Mayweather fight happen.
“To the media, everybody’s entitled to your opinion but, you see, I already have kids reading stuff on computer and they see negative things some of you write just because you can’t write stories about me? It’s not right making up stories just so you could write. Like the Pacquiao situation. No, it’s not just Pacquiao. It’s the sport, period. I never once said Manny Pacquiao was cheating! Only thing I said is this, “Me and any other opponent I face must take the test. Not just for boxing but for the sport itself. I ask the HBO, you guys could, or could have, made the fight happen, must step up and say “Both of you guys take the test and let’s make it happen!”, the American boxer said.
While expressing his interest to finally face Pacquiao, Mayweather said his focus now is on Ortiz whom he described as an interesting and tough fighter.
”I can’t overlook Victor Ortiz. He is tough and he earned the right. My focus now, however, is on Victor Ortiz and you must watch 24/7. This series will be amazing,” Mayweather said.
Mayweather remains undefeated in 40 fights, although he has not fought since his unanimous victory against Shane Mosley on May 1, last year.
On the other hand, Pacquiao stretched his winning streak to 14 last May 7 with a unanimous win also against Mosley to win the WBO welterweight title while retaining the WBC middle weight crown.
Pacquiao, the only fighter to win eight titles in eight different weight divisions, now holds an impressive 53-3-2 record with 38 knockouts.
Pacquiao is scheduled to defend his belts against archrival Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in their trilogy fight on November 12, this year. (PNA)