While eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao has said he remains careful not to look past heavy underdog Jeff Horn this weekend in Australia, he admits a big-money rematch with Floyd Mayweather is still part of his future plans.
Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 KOs), who defends his WBO welterweight title on Saturday against the former schoolteacher Horn (16-0-1, 11 KOs) at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET), met with media members at Tuesday’s public workout.
“If there’s a chance [to fight Mayweather next], why not? I’m willing,” Pacquiao said. “But let’s focus first for this fight. We don’t want to underestimate Horn, thinking about another fight. This fight is not done yet. I know my body. I’m ready. I’m not underestimating him. I’m not taking him lightly. I’m working hard.”
Mayweather, 40, scored a comfortable unanimous decision over Pacquiao in their record-breaking 2015 super fight that was more than five years in the making. Following a two-year retirement, Mayweather announced he will return on Aug. 26 to face UFC champion Conor McGregor in a carnival super fight that’s expected to move huge product financially.
While Mayweather (49-0, 34 KOs) has maintained he would only come back from retirement to face McGregor and isn’t looking to fight beyond his 50th bout, a second Pacquiao fight likely remains his biggest option financially should he return. If the bout did even half of the record 4.6 million PPV buys it did the first time around, it will still be the third biggest in boxing history.
Pacquiao’s Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach emphatically welcomes a second chance against Mayweather but said the Filipino star must first look impressive against Horn in order to have a shot.
“Manny is in a must-win situation. He wants a rematch with Mayweather,” Roach said. “With Mayweather, you have to look good against an opponent, you have to be impressive.
“I expect Manny’s best in this fight. I am looking for a big win here. We want to go on to bigger and better things.”
While Pacquiao-Horn is a major event in Australia, where 50,000 are expected to see it in person, the fight has struggled to garner much interest in the United States. But promoter Top Rank’s last-minute deal to air the bout on ESPN should help boost ratings significantly.
For as much customer fatigue remains for both Mayweather and Pacquiao considering their summit meeting two years ago miserably failed to live up to expectations for action and excitement, interest could sway should Pacquiao finish Horn in spectacular fashion on Saturday. It should be noted, however, that Pacquiao hasn’t scored a knockout since 2010.
But because of the excuses about a shoulder injury that Pacquiao leaned on following his loss to Mayweather, there’s a storyline available should both sides look to do business a second time.
