Manny Pacquiao insists he'll get to fight Floyd Mayweather again. The Filipino champion, winner of eight division titles, has been telling the world he is discussing a rematch with the Money's camp, which the latter did not deny. So it's fair to assume there'll be another showdown, but it really depends on Mayweather's final say.
As far as Pacquiao is concerned, he is all in. The Pacman even declared that Mayweather is a priority. While his camp is checking on other candidates for the next fight, Pacquiao said should Mayweather agree to a 12-round deal, the other considerations will be brushed aside.
The big question, however, is: Will Mayweather greenlight a rematch with Pacquiao?
In an interview with The Philippine Star, MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons confirmed the negotiations with Mayweather are underway but it seemed the undefeated boxing champ views showdown number two with Pacquiao in a different lens. What Mayweather wants is an exhibition match in Japan, which the Filipino camp immediately laughed off.
When Gibbons insisted on a real 12-round duel, where blood, sweat, and tears will be shed, the reaction he got from Mayweather was a laugh. The American was talking with Pacquiao's men, but he is obviously stalling.
Gibbons thinks Mayweather is unwilling to face Pacquiao with the latter just coming off three successive wins. Pacquiao's recent victory over Keith Thurman had many boxing analysts raving - they declared the Filipino is back on the top of his game. He is close to a juggernaut and, again, a mighty force to reckon with.
It's not hard to imagine that the pragmatic Mayweather is having second thoughts. Sure, he dominated Pacquiao the first time, but it surely will be different for showdown number two. Gibbons said the chance is high that Money's 50 wins will get a blot after fighting Pacquiao again.
Justin Fortune, strength and conditioning coach for Team Pacquiao, is in full agreement with Gibbons' assessment. Fortune told The Star Mayweather is a thinking fighter and cannot be expected to rush on a decision to face Pacquiao again.
"He knows what he'll be up against if he faces Manny again. If it happens, I predict Manny beats up Floyd pretty bad. I think if there's enough public interest in making the rematch, it'll happen," the Australian was reported as saying.
Should the negotiations hit a snag, Team Pacquiao is not stopping on Mayweather. Errol Spence is already out of the question as he will box Danny Garcia next. Most likely, Pacquiao's next fight will be against Mikey Garcia, and according to Fortune, it promises to be an entertaining slugfest.
Or the next fight for the Filipino, who also doubles as a senator in the Philippine legislature, could be with Amir Khan, according to The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
"Pacquiao hinted his former stablemate Amir Khan could yet land a bout against him in the near future," the local daily reported.
