Eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao feels that if a fight can’t be made with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in 2013, the dream fight boxing fans have been clamoring for in the last 3-4 years is probably never going to happen.
“If the fight doesn’t happen in 2013, there’s a big chance that the fight will not happen anymore,” Pacquiao told USA Today’s Jon Saraceno in a video interview recently.
Pacquiao has been more vocal about wanting to fight Mayweather lately, stating that he has yielded to all of of the undefeated boxing star’s demands, and that he isn’t to be blamed if the fight never materializes. “If the fight doesn’t happen, it’s not my fault. It’s their (Floyd) fault,” Pacquiao said.
Before his incarceration last June, Mayweather had offered Pacquiao a flat rate of $40 million to fight him (no upside, PPV shares, gate share, etc.), which the Philippine congressman considers as an offer he can’t accept.
Video: Latest: Manny Pacquiao speaks on why he thinks Floyd Mayweather won’t fight him
“I believe if this fight doesn’t happen, that he’s avoiding me,” Pacquiao stated regarding Mayweather’s unreasonable offer. If Pacquiao did accept the $40 million that was offered to him, Mayweather could’ve potentially generated more than $200 million. “He offered $40 million and nothing, no Pay-Per-View […] he thinks I’m like a bum boxer,” Pacquiao added with a chuckle.
Regardless, Pacquiao maintains that he is not mad at Mayweather, and that he respects how his nemesis chooses to run his career. “He has his own plan with his career,” said Pacquiao, and added, “I’m not disappointed. We can’t do anything if that’s his decision. We can’t do anything about his attitude.”
