CEBU, Philippines – Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao confirmed that talks between his camp and that of Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a megabuck showdown sometime this year are ongoing.
Pacquiao, who was among the celebrities present Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for Game Two of the PBA finals between Alaska and San Miguel beer, said things will be known within the month.
The fighting congressman, also playing coach for Kia Motors, attended the game with the team’s 7-foot-4 Kia import PJ Ramos.
Apart from giving the update on the Mayweather fight, Pacquiao said Kia is gearing up for the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We’re now in deep preparation for the Commissioner’s Cup and we’re devising plays suiting our team with our tall import. I guess our shooters will now be confident taking outside shots having a big man to get the rebounds,” explained Pacquiao.
But boxing fans are obviously more interested in the much-awaited clash with Mayweather, which is expected to go down as the richest fight in boxing history.
Pacquiao, however, is ready to move on if a fight between him and Mayweather won’t be finalized by the end of the month.
Trainer Freddie Roach though rued the fact that their options beyond the undefeated American are limited.
In a boxingscene.com report by Bill Emes, Roach stressed the need for Pacquiao to stay busy, with the fighting congressman reportedly set to see action in April and November. The world hopes the first bout would finally be against Mayweather.
Pacquiao himself said it will be known within this month if the super fight is a go.
If it’s not Mayweather, Roach has yet to name an alternative opponent for his ward.
“If another fight comes along, we're not going to sit here and wait for this guy. Activity is very important. I just don't know who's next. The pool is shallow. We don't have a lot of choices out there,” said the trainer.
Lurking in the background are Amir Khan and former Mayweather foe Marcos Maidana, both of whom have expressed desire to tangle with Pacquiao. Then there’s the unbeaten Danny Garcia, the explosive WBC and WBA super welterweight champion.
But a Pacquiao fight against any of the above mentioned fighters will definitely pale in comparison to a Mayweather showdown, which is expected to shatter boxing pay-per-view records.
Roach, for his part, remains optimistic the fight the world wants to see will happen.
“If it doesn't happen, I think it will be disappointing for the whole world. I like to give the fans what they want. I liked good fights just like everyone else in the world. Let's hope it happens,” he said. — Philippine STAR News Service (FREEMAN)