Manny Pacquiao has a welterweight championship fight upcoming against Jessie Vargas in less than two weeks, but it would seem he has his sights set on a much bigger bout.
Pacquiao still wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Freddie Roach, who trains Pacquiao, told Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times this week that he recently informed CBS executive chairman Les Moonves that Pacman wants to fight Mayweather again next year. Roach says he asked Moonves if he could help make the rematch happen.
“Let’s do it again,” Moonves said, according to Roach.
“Can you deliver Mayweather?” Roach asked.
“Yes,” Moonves said, according to Roach.
Pugmire was told by a source that Pacquiao actually called Mayweather on the phone to discuss a potential rematch, but Pacquiao denies reaching out to Floyd directly.
Mayweather has maintained that he is enjoying retirement and focusing on promotion. While Moonves apparently believes he can make the rematch happen, Showtime executive vice president Stephen Espinoza does not sound as confident.
“Floyd’s been as consistent as he’s ever been. He says he enjoys retirement and promoting and won’t engage with us, even in a joking way, about coming back,” Espinoza said. “So I’m not sure how to get the ball rolling in regard to getting him back in the ring, but I’m not going to give up.”
Pacquiao is doing his best to not sound desperate.
“If there’s a rematch, that’d be OK,” the 37-year-old said. “It’s so important to show my career is not over yet, that I’m still here – my strength, my quickness, my speed. It’s still there. God gave me this gift of talent and that’s what I’m trying to show to all.”
Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, has said a rematch is not happening, even tossing out a completely unrealistic idea for Mayweather-Pacquiao II should Floyd have interest. Mayweather has not stopped taking subtle shots at Pacquiao since the two fought over a year ago, but that doesn’t mean he’s interested in another go at it. It goes without saying that Pacquiao could use the money more than Floyd could.
