Unfinished business
REMATCH: Pacquiao open for another showdown with Mayweather
LAS VEGAS
FLOYD Mayweather accepted an invite to watch Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao’s WBO title fight on Saturday, leaving many wondering if a request to step back in the ring would be next.
Mayweather had a front row seat at the Thomas & Mack Center to watch Pacquiao easily beat former champion Jessie Vargas with a unanimous decision victory.
Pacquiao said on Sunday that he is eager to avenge his 2015 loss to Mayweather and he doesn’t feel the contract negotiations would be nearly as acrimonious as they were for the first fight, which became the richest in boxing history.
“Not only for myself, but the fans of boxing want the rematch then why not?” Pacquiao told a group of reporters at his luxury suite at the Wynn hotel and casino.
“We can easily talk about that, it is not a problem. Because we now have direct contact to them it would be easier to talk about when there will be a rematch.”
Pacquiao looked impressive on Saturday and even showed his power with a second-round knockdown as he reclaimed the WBO welterweight title — the same belt he lost to Mayweather.
Pacquiao made sure the retired Mayweather was there to witness him win it back on Saturday.
Pacquiao said he found out on Friday that Mayweather would be attending the fight.
“I met with his manager I told him I would invite Floyd and they said OK,” Pacquiao said.
There are no talks scheduled between the two and Pacquiao has no idea whether he can entice Mayweather to come out of retirement in 2017.
“We don’t have any discussions as for now,” said Pacquiao who flew back to the Philippines so he can be there when the Senate reopens today.
Even when he has something to say, Pacquiao will never put all his cards on the table.
Saturday he fought like a boxer who didn’t want to spoil a good thing as his comeback from a brief retirement could have easily been derailed by carelessly getting caught by a punch from the bigger and heavier Vargas.
But Mayweather’s appearance at ringside on Saturday has stirred talk of a Pacquiao-Mayweather 2.
Mayweather did not speak to reporters after Saturday’s fight and has shown no signs of wanting to come out of retirement.
Pacquiao’s last two victories have been impressive, showing that he has recovered from the shoulder injury which hampered him in his fight against Mayweather in May 2015.
“I believe if there is a rematch, or if it happens, I want to make sure the fans will love it and I will give everything to get back their trust,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum said on Saturday he doesn’t know if he can entice Mayweather to fight again.
“Floyd Mayweather is retired. As far as we’re concerned he’s retired and we respect that,” Arum said. AFP