Manny Pacquiao says a fight with Floyd Mayweather remains on the cards for 2019.
The eight-weight boxing legend is currently lined up to face Adrien Broner in January. But the Filipino is still focused on securing Mayweather after holding brief talks in Japan earlier this year.
Speaking during a visit to the UK to address Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Pacquiao outlined his position.
Pacquiao on Mayweather
“I told him (Mayweather) ‘I’ve got the belt and I am a champion’ and he said he would get my belt,” Pacquiao told the BBC in response to losing the initial bout in 2015 when citing a shoulder injury.
“It’s different – this time there are no excuses. I cannot retire with peace of mind with that defeat.
“We met in Japan, we met accidentally. He said he wants to have a rematch and we agreed, but not this time, maybe after the January fight.”
SHOWTIME
Showtime Pay-Per-View are ready to televise the return in the spring of 2019.
Executive Stephen Espinoza believes reports on ‘MayPac 2’ are fully valid.
“Floyd Mayweather is very serious about the fight,” said Espinoza.
“From everything I’ve seen and heard Manny Pacquiao is serious about it as well. I do think we will be seeing the rematch, Mayweather vs Pacquiao.
“I understand people doubted it because of the way it was announced, so to speak, in a viral video. But I think that was just Floyd taking advantage of an opportunity in marketing and the way he markets things.
“2019 sounds perfect (for the fight). That way I get a little sleep after this event then we go at Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 right away.”
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, speaking from the 56th Convention in Kiev, said he hopes Mayweather stays retired.
“Everyone saying it and talking about it. I liked the fact that Mayweather was retired and positioned as a leader to set an example to the young people, that you have to retire at the top,” he told ESPN Deportes.
“Once you come back you put everything at risk. He is young.. he has money, health, work, opportunities.. every time you get into the ring you are playing with your life.”
