Pacquiao rejects Mayweather exhibition bout and insists he is only interested in a rematch if it’s ‘a real fight’
MANNY PACQUIAO has no interest in a Floyd Mayweather rematch being an exhibition – he wants to make it “a real fight”.
The Filipino legend, 40, lost on points to the American in a mega-money bout billed as “The Fight of the Century” back in Las Vegas in May 2015.
Since then the veteran has battled back from the shoulder injury he struggled with in that clash and became the WBA (Super) welterweight champion in July.
He has made no secret of his desire for another shot at 50-0 42-year-old, who retired two years ago after securing his half-century with a TKO triumph over Conor McGregor.
Recently Mayweather revealed on social media he is working on a rematch with Pac Man to be held in Tokyo, Japan.
However, Money insisted the fight would not go against his unblemished record as he claimed it would only be an exhibition.
But Pacquiao and his team have now responded by insisting they are not interested in an “exhibition” match and slammed Mayweather’s “nonsense” announcement.
And the icon says the only way he will step back into the ring with his long-term rival is if it’s a “real” boxing match.
He told the PhilStar Global: “Why an exhibition? Make it a real fight.”
President of MP Promotions, Sean Gibbons, said: “I have no idea what my brother Floyd is up to.”
“Floyd is Floyd. He goes to the beat of his own drum.”
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And David Sisson, one of Pacquiao’s close associates, added: “It’s just Mayweather using Manny’s name again.”
Mayweather hung up his gloves in 2017 after his victory over UFC superstar McGregor.
He did return to the ring in December as he pocketed nearly £7.5m for an exhibition fight against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa – who last just 139 seconds against the former five-weight world champ.