NEW YORK – Wherever Manny Pacquiao goes, he hears about the need for him to fight Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Even when he is at home talking to one of his children.
Manny Jr., 11, recently told his father that he wants him to retire – but not before he takes care of the unfinished business everyone wants to see.
“I’m hoping for a November fight (against Mayweather),” said Pacquiao.
Meanwhile, the eight-division world champion came here Thursday to promote his June 9 bout against undefeated Timothy Bradley for the World Boxing Organization welterweight championship at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“I consider this fight one of my toughest fights,” said Pacquiao, 33. “Timothy Bradley is undefeated, he’s strong, he can punch.”
Pacquiao will take a 54-3-2 record into the contest, which will be distributed live via HBO pay-per-view. Bradley, who has the advantage of being five years younger but moves up in weight, is a perfect 28-0 but has only 12 knockouts. Pacquiao will be heavily favored.
“Does Manny have an advantage over Bradley?” promoter Bob Arum asked rhetorically. “I would say, ‘Yeah, he’s more of a power puncher.’ But he’s giving up a lot of youth there and maybe if Bradley gets him into the later rounds, the advantage turns.”
Arum did not share Pacquiao’s optimism that a Mayweather clash might occur in November.
“If I said there is hope, I’d be lying,” he said. “Whenever we come close, he throws a curveball. Right now, at this point in time, the fight is impossible.”
According to Pacquiao, Mayweather called him in the Philippines last month to negotiate directly. But a conversation that started with both men eager to set a date ended badly. Pacquiao said he was offered a guarantee but not a cent of pay-per-view revenue that everyone agrees would be massive.
“There is no justification for anything other than a 50-50 deal,” said Arum, referring to all sources of income. Pacquiao, who envisions retiring after two or three more fights, sold more tickets in the USA than any other fighter in each of the last two years.
Mayweather will oppose Miguel Cotto for the WBA super welterweight championship on May 5 at the MGM Grand.
Pacquiao’s last four fights have gone to a decision, including a very narrow win in 12 rounds against Juan Manuel Marquez last Nov. 12.
“There is a chance I will fight him again, but not right now,” he said. “I don’t think people want to watch the same movie.”
Bradley successfully defended his WBO junior welterweight title four times. He banged out a technical knockout against Joel Casamayor as part of the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard.
While Pacquiao cannot help but look ahead, Bradley, from Palm Springs, Calif., noted that he has labored for years in search of a matchup of this magnitude.
“This is everything. This is a defining moment,” he said. “This is the first real fight of my career.”
