Manny Pacquiao wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jnr – but the undefeated American doesn’t have “the desire” to return to boxing once again.
After years of waiting, Mayweather and Pacquiao finally met in the ring in 2015 with the former sealing a relatively comfortable unanimous decision victory in one of the richest fights in boxing history.
Mayweather quit boxing after beating Andre Berto later that year, coming out of retirement in 2017 to beat UFC superstar Conor McGregor to extend his professional record to 50-0. He returned once again on New Year’s Eve last December, beating Japanese kick boxer Tenshin Nasukawa in a largely farcical exhibition bout.
The five-weight world champion was ringside as Pacquiao comprehensively outpointed Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand on Saturday with the prospect of a rematch with the former welterweight king inevitably arising in post-fight interviews.
“Tell (Floyd) to come back to the ring and then we will fight,” Pacquiao said when quizzed by Showtime’s Jim Gray. “I am willing to fight him again, to fight Floyd Mayweather.”
Gray then asked Mayweather to “shake or nod” in response to Pacquiao’s challenge, with the 41-year-old opting to do neither.
CEO of Mayweather Promotions Leonard Ellerbe however later insisted there would be no rematch, insisting the former champion “has nothing to prove" by fighting again.
"He's (Mayweather) retired, he has no interest in doing that," said Ellerbe, when asked about fighting Pacquiao again.
"It's not always about the money, believe it or not. What more can the man do?
"He doesn't have the motivation, the desire. He's living the best life, travelling, running his multiple businesses, spending his well-hard earnings that he spent blood and tears on for years.
"He'll be 42 come February 24 and enough is enough. What good does it do to earn all that money but you can't stick around and spend it. He has had a phenomenal career, he has broken all the records and he has nothing to prove."
