Pacquiao, 36, revealed on a Facebook video chat that he is ‘hoping’ a second fight with Mayweather will be his final professional bout next spring and that his team ‘are still negotiating’ a return with the pound for pound king’s people.
A frenzy of reports followed after the two shared twelve rounds last May in a pay-per-view offering that spawned over $400 million in revenue, although Mayweather has now moved to squash the rumours as he sticks to his own retirement plan.
“It’s totally false. I’m not fighting anymore,” said Mayweather, according to ESPN’s Stephen A Smith.
The 38 year-old recently splashed out $3.5 million on a new Bugatti car to add to his collection, which is merely pocket change to Mayweather, who has consistently been the highest earner in sport over the past few years.
Alternative opponents for Pacquiao, which will be needed following Mayweather’s dismissal, have been lining up for the opportunity to oppose the Filipino in his Las Vegas swansong.
Briton Amir Khan is claiming to be the frontrunner ahead of Top Rank stablemates Terence Crawford, Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Matchroom Boxing’s IBF champion Kell Brook.
