There is no other man to fight but Floyd Mayweather. It has to be the next battle, an epic one, for Manny Pacquiao, who hinted this week that his team is discussing things with the Mayweather camp. The Pacman, however, has yet to confirm if the much-awaited rematch is happening soon.
Team Pacquiao is not hiding the fact that pursuing the Money to agree to a second showdown is in the works. There are other possible opponents on the list, but Mayweather is the top priority.
It's as if Pacquiao is heeding the call made by promoter Bob Arum. Quit boxing now but if you can't, then go for the fight that really matters, and it has to be with Mayweather, advised Arum, who had arranged many of Pacquiao's memorable ring duels.
Boxing pundits can only agree. PhilBoxing.com wrote in an op-ed piece that the Filipino boxing icon needs to focus on the big deals. His next fight ought to be against giants to slay.
"Manny would be much better off pursuing the much-awaited super rematch versus Floyd or a lucrative fight in the Middle East versus the still popular Amir Khan," the boxing news site said.
Now that's exactly what Pacquiao is doing. In Dubai, the 8-division champion revealed he is in talks with Mayweather, and understandably they are negotiating to give boxing fans what they have been clamoring for - face-off number two.
However, MP Promotions' Sean Gibbons appeared to contradict the latest Pacman announcement. Gibbons said he was not aware of discussions between the two teams, per the report from the South China Morning Post.
Or the Pacquiao business associate is just putting a smoke-screen for now because to date nothing definite has been achieved. Remember that when the rematch rumors surfaced anew, Mayweather responded by offering an exhibition match in Japan.
Pacquiao did not bite. If he is facing the American again, he wants the real thing, the Filipino fighter said.
As things stand at the moment, it would seem that Mayweather is deliberate on his efforts to sabotage a rematch with Pacquiao. As the latter had complained, his American counterpart is being difficult.
"He is giving a hard time to the organizers, the promoter or the government [with] so many demands. I mean, he should not give the people here or the promoter here a hard time," Pacquiao was reported as saying.
Between those words, Pacquiao appears to imply he just wants to climb the ring with Mayweather and let the world decide who really is the better fighter. He can do it anytime and anywhere, and all Money has to do is sign a contract.
