Floyd Mayweather Jr has hit back at Manny Pacquiao after his long-time rival fanned the flames of latest speculation over a high-profile rematch between the two superstars.
Mayweather once again watched from ringside at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night as an impressive Pacquiao, who will turn 41 in December, became the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history after handing WBA (Super) champion Keith Thurman his first professional loss via split decision.
The duo have subsequently become engaged in a social media feud, with Mayweather taking to Instagram on Tuesday night to state how he finds it "real ironic" that his name is always attached to Pacquiao's in the media.
"This man's entire legacy and career has been built off its association with my name," he lamented.
Pacquiao swiftly answered back on Twitter, posting to Mayweather: "You come to my fight and then use my name in a post but I’m the one that is trying to stay relevant? If you want to be relevant again... #MayPac2."
Mayweather has since issued a withering response to that call-out, again writing on Instagram: "SWIPE LEFT. Let's stick to the facts! Bob Arum is no longer your promoter, so when it comes to @mayweatherpromotions & PBC events I’m the HNIC!
"Bottom line, I make more money than you; I beat you, then I signed you! I was only at your fight supervising you, my employee, as any real BOSS would do.
"You made $10Million for 12 rounds, when I just made $9M in under 3 minutes playing around in an exhibition with a pizza delivery guy! I beat you mentally, physically and financially!
"Remember, you fight cause you have to, I fight when I want to!"
After years of rumours and anticipation, Mayweather and Pacquiao finally went head to head in the so-called 'Fight of the Century' in Las Vegas in May 2015, with the former earning a straightforward unanimous decision in a bout that failed to live up to its considerable hype.
The former five-weight world champion, 42, retired in September 2015 after equalling Rocky Marciano's 49-0 unbeaten streak with a points win over Andre Berto, though returned to beat UFC star Conor McGregor in a money-spinning super-fight in August 2017.
Mayweather also earned a first-round victory over Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition contest in Saitama in December.
