MANILA, Philippines - The name Manny Pacquiao is not even causing a blip on the radar screen of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Not for now – at least.
The American pound-for-pound king said he’s close to finding and naming an opponent for his return to the ring on May 3 in Las Vegas.
Amir Khan could be next for Mayweather who told Grand Rapids Press boxing writer David Mayo he expects his opponent to be named next week.
“Next week, I’m looking forward to next week,†Mayweather, undefeated in 45 fights, was quoted as saying.
“But as for me, right now, I’m not thinking about boxing,†he added.
Maybe Mayweather is not even thinking about Pacquiao, who recently bashed Brandon Rios for 12 rounds at the Venetian in Macau.
It was a remarkable comeback for the Filipino superstar after two successive losses to Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.
The victory, as expected, revived talks about Mayweather vs Pacquiao, still the fight everybody wants to see in this generation.
After his victory over Rios, the 34-year-old fighting congressman from Sarangani talked about his readiness to take on Mayweather.
“I’m willing to fight Mayweather. So, it’s up to him if he’s willing also,†said Pacquiao.
His promoter, Bob Arum, and trainer, Freddie Roach, are also hoping for the fight to happen next year.
If it doesn’t then it may never happen at all.
But Mayweather is not joining the discussion yet because when asked by Mayo about the Pacquiao fight, it seemed he doesn’t care.
“Who?†was all Mayweather said.