Pacquiao: I bowed to Mayweather’s demands - it’s up to him

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor

‘Pacman’ remains hopeful of super-fight

Manny Pacquiao has once again stipulated that he is willing to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. next year in the wake of reports that the American is looking at a shortlist of alternative opponents to the Filipino fighter.

The eight-weight champion, 33, is currently In final preparations for his upcoming fourth clash with Juan Manuel Marquez, although the ‘Pacman’ can never seem to distance himself from talk of a possible clash with Mayweather.

The two have been miles apart in terms of negotiations in the past, although Pacquiao is now willing to relax his stance in the drawn-out talks, in order to make the fight that should have been made over two years ago.

“100%,” said Pacquiao, when asked by ESPN if he is still interested in facing Floyd. “I agree with the 45-55 (split) for the fight to happen for the sake of the fans. Whatever he wants with the drug testing, he can do whatever is in the rules. It is up to him,” he added.

It’s not the first time the ball has been put firmly in Mayweather’s court on a potential super-fight and only time will tell whether ‘Money’ would be willing to head straight into a battle with Pacquiao on the back of his recent incarceration.

The more likely scenario is that Mayweather will fight one his current options of Robert Guerrero, Saul Alvarez, Timothy Bradley or Miguel Cotto in May or June and then possibly re-negotiate with Pacquiao later in the year.

With a bout almost certain to take place at the 147lb limit, it means that Timothy Bradley and Robert Guerrero would be in pole position for Mayweather’s ‘warm-up’ fight, as long as Pacquiao come through Marquez impressively next week to keep on track.

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