Manny Pacquiao says Floyd Mayweather is ‘scared to death’ of rematch and accuses boxing rival of being ‘intimidated’
MANNY PACQUIAO said Floyd Mayweather is “scared to death” of a rematch and accused his boxing rival of being “intimidated”.
The Filipino icon was beaten by 50-0 Mayweather in 2015, which ended five long years of waiting.
But despite around £500MILLION made, a rematch failed to materialise with both fight legends now retired from the sport.
And Pacquaio attempted to goad Mayweather into a sequel after insisting the unbeaten American was afraid of a rematch.
He said: “I don’t think that will happen because he’s scared to death to face me in the ring again.
“He’s scared. From the beginning he’s felt intimidated [by] me and scared to face me.
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“It might be possible for an exhibition, but I don’t know yet.”
Mayweather, 45, has competed in four exhibition bouts since hanging up his gloves after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 34, in 2017.
Meanwhile Pacquiao, 43, returns on December 10 against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo, 42.
Mayweather’s latest exhibition is set for November 13 in Dubai, against YouTuber Deji, 25, who has won ONCE in his four fights.
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It came after he most recently knocked out MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, 30, in two rounds in September
That followed after facing featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, Logan Paul, 27, and ex-sparring partner Don Moore.
Pacquiao was ringside to watch Mayweather KO Asakura and the pair came face to face at a press conference beforehand.
After the fight, the self-proclaimed “Best Ever” ruled out a rematch with PacMan, or any other boxer for that matter.
Mayweather said: “I’m not going to go in there with no former fighters, former world champions, putting more abuse on my body. I retired for a reason.
“I’m here to have fun and enjoy myself, sometimes three rounds, sometimes eight rounds, with guys that are going to help me entertain people.
“I’m not going to take punishment to the point to where I can barely walk or barely talk.
“Manny had a great career, but boxing retired Manny, Manny didn’t retire from boxing. There’s a difference.
“Of course, if I were Manny Pacquiao, would I be chasing an exhibition with Floyd Mayweather to get a payday? Absolutely I would.
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“But at this particular time, I love fighting guys that are 15-0, 8-0, guys that are older, like myself, or YouTubers or MMA guys.
“I will continue to do what I do and dictate and control.”