MANILA, Philippines – Newly retired boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, who arrived to a hero?s welcome and was paraded around the city yesterday morning, said it?s up to fight fans if they want to see a rematch between him and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
?It all depends if the fans want it,? Pacquiao told GMA News upon his arrival from a 14-hour flight from Los Angeles, four days after he scored a convincing victory over American Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
He reacted to a story where Showtime executive vice president Stephen Espinoza, who played a key role in the first Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, said Pacquiao?s impressive showing against Bradley can open the doors to a potential rematch.
Espinoza told RingTV.com that if the fans want it, then they might get it.
Pacquiao announced his retirement after the fight, saying he?s ready to face life as a retired boxer and focus on serving the people. The two-term representative is running for senator in the May 9 elections, and is doing well in the surveys.
Even before completing his trilogy with Bradley, the 37-year-old Pacquiao faced questions on the possibility of a rematch with Mayweather, the undefeated superstar who is also retired. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Ring observers believe that if there?s a clamor and if huge money is put on the table, the two greatest boxers of this generation will step up the plate and do it one more time. Mayweather beat Pacquiao the first time they met last May.
The fight broke all existing records in boxing ? from the fight to pay-per-view and ticket sales, not counting the other revenues like merchandise and TV rights.
?It (rematch) is certainly more interesting now than it was a couple weeks ago,? Espinoza said.
?With that performance, what Manny showed is that he still has the ability to perform at a high level and arguably at a higher level than he did last May,? the Showtime executive said.
Mayweather is enjoying retirement by travelling to the most exotic places on his own jet, stacking up on jewelry and riding his expensive cars. He said he?s no longer interested in a rematch with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao said he retired because he?s honoring a commitment to his family, and at the same time focus on being a public servant. He added that if a Mayweather rematch comes up, he will come out of retirement.
His brother, Ruel Pacquiao, quoted him as saying, ?Kung tulog ako, gisingin niyo lang ako (If I?m asleep, then wake me up.?) The statement speaks well of Pacquiao?s eagerness or readiness to fight Mayweather again ? anytime, anywhere.
Mayweather quietly watched the Pacquiao-Bradley fight last Sunday at the MGM Grand, and said it should have ended in a draw. All three judges had it 116-110 for Pacquiao, who knocked down Bradley twice and was never in trouble.
?Draw?? asked Pacquiao with a smile.
Pacquiao showed no ill effects of the shoulder injury than hampered his chance against Mayweather when they first met.
?He was active. He showed the power. He was quick. But really in terms of a Mayweather rematch, it?s really up to the audience, to the fans and the writers,? said Espinoza.
?I know from talking to Floyd ? if there?s demand for a particular fight ? I think he will give it strong consideration. But I think this is one where we?re not going to put the cart before the horse. If people are interested in that fight then I think they?ll make their voices heard and we?ll start working on it,? he said.
Upon his arrival yesterday, Pacquiao said he can?t really talk of a Mayweather rematch.
?We?re both retired so I cannot answer that,? he said.
But while a return bout with Mayweather isn?t on the agenda, Pacquiao said he entertains the possibility of seeing action in the Rio Olympics. The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines has said it?s ready to give Pacquiao a slot in the 64kg class for the Rio Games, where the world governing body AIBA has opened the doors to pros.
Pacquiao said he wants to enjoy the victory for the next few days or the rest of the week before he steps up his campaign for the coming elections.
?I will rest for a while,? he said.
From the airport, the 37-year-old Pacquiao went to Dusit Thani in Makati to freshen up and have breakfast with executives of broadcast partner GMA Network and Solar Sports. He feasted on his favorite fare of tapa, garlic rice, salted eggs, tinolang manok and danggit with mixed fruits and macaroons for dessert.
The eight-division world champ repeatedly thanked the nation for supporting him throughout his illustrious career.
Pacquiao had the chance to meet reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.
As much as possible, Pacquiao and his handlers tried to keep the motorcade free of politics and purely a celebration of his latest victory inside the ring. ? With report from Olmin Leyba
