WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao challenged Floyd Mayweather to return to boxing and give him a rematch following his victory over Adrien Broner on Saturday night.
Mayweather, the retired and undefeated US legend, attended the big fight in Las Vegas, fuelling speculation of a second bout against Pacquiao.
“Tell him to come back to the ring and we will fight,” said the Filipino champion in a post-fight interview with Showtime’s Jim Gray.
Mayweather, whose last outing was a farcical exhibition bout against a Japanese kickboxer, refused the questions of a ringside TV reporter about whether he would be willing to fight Pacquiao again.
Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe tried to cool speculation over a potential rematch: “Floyd’s living his best life. I’m very happy for him.”
The Filipino, who lost to Mayweather in 2015, was less reticent. “I’m willing to fight if he’s willing to come back in boxing.”
Pacquiao is enjoying a career turnaround after uninspiring efforts that left many believing his career was nearing an end.
“I don’t believe my career is over,” said the 40-year-old. “I proved it in my last fight against (Lucas Matthysse) and now proved it again. The Manny Pacquiao journey still continues.”
He was quicker and more accurate than Broner as he controlled each round and cruised to the triumph to take his career record to 61-7-2.
“I’m so happy,” said Pacquiao. “God gave me this blessing (of good health). At the age of 40 I can still give my best.”
About the only person in attendance who disagreed with the outcome was Broner, who protested the result emphatically in his post-fight interview.
“I beat him. Everyone out there knows I beat him,” Broner said. “I controlled the fight, he was missing and I hit him clean more times.”
It was difficult to take Broner's claims seriously on a night when he was relegated to the role of defensive fighter.
