WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has incarcerated rival Floyd Mayweather in his prayers as he gears up for another defence of his belt against Timothy Bradley on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I’m praying for him,” Pacquiao told ESPN. “I’m not treating him as my opponent, my enemy or anything. I’m treating him as my friend, my brother. I’m praying for him that all things will be fine for him.”
The 33 year-old, who headlines the MGM Grand for the eighth time against the unbeaten 140lb champion, also scoffed at a potential fight with ?Money? when reminded about the $40million ?take it or leave it? offer made to him by the American.
“Well, if you are a fighter, would you fight if I give you $40million and nothing to share in the PPV?” Pacquiao questioned.
“I would not fight for that. He will be laughing (behind) my back if I do that. It’s not a proper negotiation if you’re a businessman.”
The Filipino knows he needs a standout performance against Bradley, 28, if he is to pressure Mayweather in to leaning more towards a more favourable split, although many feel that ?Desert Storm? has the potential to pose more problems than Juan Manuel Marquez did in November.
