MANILA – As the word war heats up between the two legendary boxers, newly-crowned WBA world super welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao issued a challenge to Floyd Mayweather Jr. — “Fight me again.”
Speaking to the media at the Senate on Wednesday, the Filipino ring icon said the undefeated American boxer must accept his challenge if he wants to silence critics who were clamoring for a rematch.
“If you want critics to stop talking, then fight me again,” the eight-division world boxing champion said in Filipino. “My comment is, he should come back and fight again.”
“If he wants fans to stop asking him [about a rematch], then we should fight again,” he added. “Because that’s what the fans want.”
Tension heated up between the two fighters on Wednesday after Mayweather said Pacquiao built his entire legacy “off its association with my name” to which Pacquiao responded with, “You come to my fight and I’m the one trying to stay relevant?”
Mayweather had his last say as of press time. He pointed out to Pacquiao that he was his boss as he promotes him under Mayweather Promotions, the reason also of his presence in the Filipino boxer’s matches.
Pacquiao, who came from a hard-earned win over Keith Thurman on Sunday, said he does not mind facing other opponents in his ring return next year if Mayweather won’t answer his challenge.
“Me, I can fight anybody, no problem,” he said. “Fans have been asking me when we’re fighting again. Oh don’t even answer anymore, because people keep on asking me about him even when he’s not my opponent.”/PN
