Two things were obvious after spending an hour with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last week at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.
He seems to truly believe that Pacquiao?s recent run of success is due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. And, secondly, though he wouldn?t say it in so many words, he also seems to view Pacquiao as a legitimate threat.
Pacquiao has sued Mayweather for defamation in federal court over allegations that Mayweather has accused him of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Though Mayweather was careful in choosing his words, he also left no doubt that he believes Pacquiao?s incredible streak has been artificially aided.
Mayweather was never asked whether he thought Pacquiao takes PEDs. Asked a question about how a fight between the two greatest fighters in the world might play out if the promoters could ever reach a deal, Mayweather at first expressed confidence he would win, but then seemed to search for an explanation for Pacquiao?s success.
?It?s just so crazy that a guy can pop up out of nowhere and become such an amazing fighter,? Mayweather said. ?A guy like me has been doing it since the ?90s, dominating the sport and beating the best out there. This guy just popped up out of nowhere and people are trying to say he?s on the level of a Floyd Mayweather, when I?ve been dominating and doing this for almost 20 years now.?
Mayweather won his first world title in his 18th pro fight on Oct. 3, 1998 ? 13 years ago Floyd, not 20 ? when he was 21 years, 7 months old.
It might surprise Mayweather to know that Pacquiao won his first world title just two months later, on Dec. 4, 1998, in his 25th pro fight. Pacquiao was two weeks shy of his 20th birthday when he won the World Boxing Council flyweight title.
Pacquiao jumped three classes, bypassing super flyweight and bantamweight, to win his second world title, on June 23, 2001, when he captured the International Boxing Federation junior featherweight title. He was 22 years, 6 months old and it took him 30 months to win that second title. Mayweather needed 44 months to win his second belt, when he captured the WBC lightweight belt on April 20, 2002.
That would seem to debunk his theory that Pacquiao came out of nowhere. But Mayweather also clearly views Pacquiao as a threat, though he tries to dismiss him.
?He?s a pressure fighter, but there are a lot of mistakes that he makes,? Mayweather said. ?You can?t make those mistakes with Floyd Mayweather. If you make those mistakes with me, you have to pay.?
Mayweather then went on to say he thought Juan Manuel Marquez defeated Pacquiao easily when they met at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 12. Mayweather routed Marquez, winning all 12 rounds on one judge?s card, taking 11 on another and 10 on a third. Pacquiao won a majority decision on Nov. 12. Judge Robert Hoyle had it a draw, six rounds to six, but the other two judges had Pacquiao by margins of 7-5 and 8-4.
?I?m not saying he hasn?t earned the right to face Floyd Mayweather, but I can?t say that [Pacquiao is the best in the world other than me],? Mayweather said. ?There are a lot of good strong champions out there. Speaking honestly, I thought Marquez won the last fight easily. Easily, yes, absolutely. You can put the fight on mute and just watch it. The guy was getting outboxed real easily. One guy was putting pressure on, but wasn?t landing and the other guy was not taking any punishment and landing basically at will in that last fight.?
