MANILA, Philippines ? Filipino boxer champion Manny Pacquiao said negotiations are ongoing with the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a possible rematch between the former pound-for-pound kings.
Talks of a rematch escalated over the weekend, when Mayweather and Pacquiao each posted a video of an encounter during an event. The American went so far as to announce on Instagram that he was “coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year.”
“Another nine-figure payday on the way,” said Mayweather, who claimed that the bout will be held in December.
Mayweather earned over $200 million for his first fight against Pacquiao, a unanimous decision victory in May 2015. Pacquiao took home $100 million.
Speaking to Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN News, Pacquiao stressed that they were in the midst of negotiations but nothing has been made final.
“Hindi pa natin masabi kung kailan or (ano ‘yung) exact date,” said Pacquiao.
“He’s announcing his comeback from retirement, he wants to fight and challenge me, he wants to get my belt,” he added. “Right now, we’re negotiating and hoping to finalize that.”
DYAN CASTILLEJO @DYANCASTILLEJO Replying to @DYANCASTILLEJO I?m always available for him . @mannypacquiao to @FloydMayweather #MP #TMT
3:08 PM – Sep 17, 2018 27 See DYAN CASTILLEJO’s other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Asked if he is willing to face Mayweather on the American boxer’s preferred date in December, Pacquiao said: “I’m always available. I’m always available for him.”
The first Pacquiao-Mayweather bout in 2015 took over half a decade of negotiations, and while it generated plenty of money for both fighters, it also failed to live up to the hype. Mayweather won comfortably, and Pacquiao revealed after the match that he fought with an injured shoulder.
The Filipino ring icon believes that given the circumstances of their first encounter, he has some unfinished business with Mayweather.
DYAN CASTILLEJO @DYANCASTILLEJO Replying to @DYANCASTILLEJO @mannypacquiao on @FloydMayweather as unfinished business
3:16 PM – Sep 17, 2018 1 See DYAN CASTILLEJO’s other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy “Importante na matuloy. Para bang (may) unfinished business kaming dalawa,” said Pacquiao. “Para bang nanakawan tayo ng panalo, and then matagal na panahon ang hinintay natin.”
The “Pacman” is confident that in a rematch, he can do what no one has ever done and inflict Mayweather’s first loss.
“Right now, alam ko na ang gagawin ko,” he said.
Mayweather has not fought since knocking out MMA champion Conor McGregor last year ? a victory that put his record at 50-0.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao is coming off a knockout victory over Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse last July, his first stoppage win in nearly a decade.
