Pacquiao calls out Mayweather anew

MACAU – “He’s going to fight me?”

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao repeated his line in the promotional video for Footlocker as he answered the nagging question of when will the Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fight happen.

After his sensational unanimous decision win over previously unbeaten Chris Algieri Sunday, Pacquiao was very vocal that he wanted Mayweather next.

Yahoo! Sports boxing columnist Kevin Iole pressed Pacquiao on why is he very much vocal now to fight Mayweather than after beating Brandon Rios also here last year.

Pacquiao’s curt reply was, “The fans deserve that fight. It’s time to make that fight happen.”

Pacquiao’s star and knockout power are back after scoring six knockdowns against the durable Algieri on his way to the lopsided win. The impressive victory was his third straight since suffering a nasty knockout loss at the hands of his Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez III two years ago that brought back his confidence to call out Mayweather again.

His promoter Bob Arum has already had initial talks with the CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves even before Pacquiao fought Algieri. CBS is the mother network of Showtime, where Mayweather is tied up. Pacquiao is with rival network HBO.

Pacquiao again issued a challenge to Mayweather.

“I think it’s time to step out and say yes so that people can now prepare for that fight early next year,” Pacquiao said. 

“It’s been long time that I want that fight. I think I’m just the one who is talking about that fight while the other camp keeps on denying and doesn’t want to talk about it.” Pacquiao added.  “But right now, I think the fans are more involved now.”

Now the waiting game begins.

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Editor's note: Philstar.com's special coverage of the Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri fight is made possible by Cebu Pacific Air, why every Juan flies.