Pacquiao: I’m praying for Floyd, but I would not fight for that!

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

‘Pacman’ speaks on Mayweather offer

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.

Manny Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley is live on HBO PPV this Saturday at 9pm ET/6pm PT and on Primetime in the UK from 2am. UK viewers can order by clicking on the banner on the WBN website.

WBN Remembers: "Gypsy Boy" Ernie Smith

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor (picure by boxrec.com) After almost a year and a half without one of boxing’s great journeymen, World Boxing News is looking back at the 161-fight career of Worcestershire warrior Ernie Smith, concentrating on his contribution in the ring, rather than the tragic way his life ended out of it. Smith turned professional at super-featherweight in 1998 at the Park Hall Hotel in Wolverhampton, losing a six rounder against Welshman Woody Greenaway. One month later, Ernie was thrown in with an unknown prospect by the name of Gavin Rees (former world champion and current British Lightweight Champion) who he also took the distance over four rounds. The “Gypsy Boy” then managed to string together a four fight unbeaten run together in early 1999 and ended the year winning five out of his twelve contests, but by this time had already delved into the journeyman pool of boxers with a record of 5-8-1. After settling at the welterweight limit, Ernie gained a su

BBC make Luke Campbell mum and sister death gaffe

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Soccer star Tim Cahill’s cousin Jai Opetaia, 16, spars Danny Green

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor (Picture from The Brisbane Times) Youngster shares ring with IBO champ Jai Opetaia, cousin of Everton Football Club’s star soccer player Tim Cahill, is a sixteen year-old amateur fighter who is deep in preparations for the forthcoming world youth championships. Recently the youngster was given the opportunity to spar with Australia’s IBO world light-heavyweight champion Danny Green as he prepares to take on Antonio Tarver and gain valuable experience before his trip to Europe. Opetaia, who hails from Watanobbi, has already taken former world champion Anthony Mundine a few rounds in sparring and has added another world renowned boxer to the list in 38 year-old Green. The Australian amateur team departs for the championships in Kazakhstan this Tuesday and Opetaia thinks the gym time with the Aussie boxing starts will stand him in good stead as he looks to claim gold at the under 80kg category. “It feels pretty special,” Opetaia told the Central Coas

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