Mayweather calls out Pacquiao; talks on fight set to begin
Updated 9h 13m ago

By J. Michael Falgoust, USA TODAY
In the next 24 hours, negotiations will commence to arrange the biggest fight in boxing: Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather.

The former mythical pound-for-pound king before he took an almost two-year hiatus in 2007 — Mayweather — against the current one, an action hero who already is the greatest Asian fighter in history and one of the all-time greats from any era in any weight class.

After Saturday's shocking destruction of Miguel Cotto via 12th-round knockout, Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) has earned a share of the lineal welterweight championship and picked up a major belt in his seventh different weight class.

Monday, Mayweather called out Pacquiao, saying the fighter has not come out and actually said he wants to fight Mayweather.

"Manny Pacquiao is the fighter and every time someone asks him if he wants to fight me, he says it is up to his promoter, he's going to take a vacation, whatever the answer is," Mayweather said. "I have yet to hear him actually say, 'yes I want to fight Mayweather.' We are the fighters and if one fighter is talking about fighting another fighter, then they should just come out and say it. Manny Pacquiao doesn't say anything directly about fighting me because he might just know it's not a fight he can win."

Said Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, which promotes the Filipino and formerly promoted Mayweather: "All you have to know is that my fighter and his trainer Freddie Roach have gone on record saying they're happy to fight Mayweather. Hopefully we'll be able to put this together," he said. "The one thing I'm not going to do, and the only thing that's going to kill this, is to negotiate through the newspapers. If that happens and egos get in the way, the fight might not happen. From our side, we're willing."

While Mayweather has been reluctant to say he wants to fight Pacquiao, even after his decision win against Juan Manuel Marquez in September, he's been vocal about Arum and suggests the promoter is afraid of putting Pacquiao in the ring with him.

"You know that isn't true," Arum says. "Maybe I prefer not to deal with him. But if your fighter wants a fight, you deal. Mayweather is not one of my favorite people and I'm sure I'm not one of his. What difference does that make?

"If we were talking about some match on (HBO's) Boxing After Dark, then you can have plenty of spite and no one loses very much on a fight not being made. In this case it's more than just the money. It's the fact that boxing is on a roll. It's doing great. If this fight doesn't happen it hurts the momentum of the sport and that does a disservice to the sport. I'm keenly aware of that."

The undefeated Mayweather says he just wants to hear the words come from Pacquiao that he wants to fight.

"Tell Manny Pacquiao to be his own man and stop letting everyone, including his loudmouth trainer (Freddie Roach), talk for him," said Mayweather. "I am my own boss, speak for myself and tell it like it is. If Manny Pacquiao wants to fight me, all he has to do is step up to the plate and say it himself."

YEA FLOYD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Manny Pacquiao said it already before the Cotto fight. Its Mayweather who's pricing him self out.

So I'm sure the general consensus is that these guys are more than willing to fight each other, but watching Manny fight all the fighters he's fought, he never really seamed hesitant to say I want to fight Marquez, Barerra, Morales or even Hatton. He talks trash about Valero without regard. He begged for return fights against Barerra and Morales. He never seemed all that excited about rematches with Marquez, but he still said I'll fight him.

I wonder why he won't say, I'd love to fight Mayweather. I don't think he's afraid, but he sure has chosen to follow the company line all of a sudden (ala Cotto) when in the past, he's just always been a happy go lucky fight anybody anywhere anytime kind of guy that was never afraid to say I'd love to fight "fill in the blank."

Floyd sure does seem happy Manny won. He normally doesn't really get ahead of a fight with the hype, but he sure didn't wait long to get on record about the potential of this clash. If you watch his recent interview, he almost looks like he's licking his chops waiting to get Manny in the ring. Fears of this fight not getting made seem to be vanishing. Arum actually said if this doesn't get done it would hurt boxing and the Swiss banker (as bob like to call him) already stated, "When have you known me and Bob not to make the Big fight."

All signs say this is getting done!

Poor Manny. I'm gonna feel sorry for him when Floyd rips him and bashes him in 24/7

Has anyone really talked sh1t to Manny during a promotion?

No I don't think so. No one has the loudmouth of Floyd though, and Cotto, well - We saw his gleaming personality...

Floyd may unleash a fury that he doesn't want to see.

Any recklessness by Manny would play right into Floyd's hands. If I remember correctly we have a bet lined up if this fight goes down. Right?

I have no idea, but I'll take Pac. Let's not get carried away though, Floyd has to grow a set of balls first.

We'll see who really wants this fight when the demands from each fighter start coming out. I'm expecting Pac to ask for 144lbs and 60% of the purse. Thats not gonna get it done. But we'll see.

I think Roach has already awoke the sleeping dragon for Pacquiao. let's see if Pac can step up.

I'm expecting 50-50 at 147.

That'd be nice. But if Pac's PPV does better than Floyd's you can expect team Top Rank to want the lion's share.

floyd knows if he can get manny pissed, he'll get better terms. don't forget the manny signing a contract while still under contract bullshyt. pretty simple Obviously they both know this is by far the most money either can make so let's just forget the so and so doesn't want to fight bullshyt.

Mayweather told Mosley to be his own man and quit letting his wife make his decision. Mosley dropped the b*tch called him out FACE to FACE, probably one word away from pimp slapping him, and Mayweather got all humble after words, saying I wish Mosley the best.

Here is Mayweather running his mouth again, I wouldn't be surprised if Manny calls him out (which is out of his character) and Mayweather takes a different fight.

What gets me is... He moans about people calling him out him face to face, then he moans when people won't call him out.


Just fuking get the fight on.

Floyd isn't dumb. Mosely is a risk, pacman isn't

I agree. It's like if he says it Floyd is going to hulk up or something, like he will get some special power form Manny calling him out.

Floyd hasn't called him out. Floyd has yet to say I want to fight Manny, quit making excuses and fight. Floyd is basically saying if you hit me I'll hit you back, but until then I'm just waiting.

And for those who keep bringing up Manny saying talk to my promoter, have you ever stopped to think that Manny is "JUST A FIGHTER" and leaves the business side to Arum, who has done a superb job with his career?

The best idea is this: a 65-35 split, with 65 going to the winner. Then we'll see who is confident, and who is not, and the loser still makes a bigger payday than he ever has in his whole career.

Why don't Pacquiao say it in the post fight interview when Larry ask him 3 times? Pacquiao said it he wants Mayweather before the Cotto fight but he didn't say it in the post fight interview.

Who cares about "calling people out." It's not a schoolyard fight.

Besides, Floyd doesn't care about people calling him out. He only listens if they're lightweights anyway

It's simple 1hit, Mayweather is not going to fight Mosley cause the Pacquiao fight brings the bigger money.

You saying Pacquiao is a lightweight?

So let me get this straight. Shane called out Floyd in the post fight but it was too soon and Floyd wanted his moment so "best of luck to Mosley with his career." BUT Manny is supposed to eschew his moment and call out Floyd?

Floyd's an idiot.

come on floyd just get the fight on for fvcks sake.

No, I'm saying Floyd only hears junior welters and lightweights who call him out. When real welters call him out, he goes deaf. Margarito calls him out, all you heard from Floyd and his crew are crickets,. Same with Mosley.

When a lightweight like Marquez mentions his name, Floyd suddenly has to defend his honor.

Pac's proven he can hang at welterweight as far as I'm concerned. He brought his speed with him to WW, has decent pop and has proven he can take a punch from a legit welterweight puncher.

Ender simple answer, who brings more money for Floyd to fight? Pacquiao? Or Mosley? It's a simple easy answer. Hell i don't read you saying Mosley duck Williams for a bigger money fight right? But i guess what Mosley does by ducking Williams is ok?

In which thats a fight Floyd admit he wants. Thats the fight everybody wants to see.

Sure, but Floyd has three fights left on his current deal, I believe.

My point is that all this stuff about "Manny has to call him out" is just nonsense. Other people called Floyd out and it didn't matter then.

Just make the fight, Floyd. No more excuses. Fight the fight or move on.

Besides Williams, who is about to fight his 4th fight in a row outside of the welterweight division, who has Mosley ever ducked? He even fought the guy Floyd avoided like the plague so GTFO with that sidesteppin' argument.

We're talking Floyd and Manny and how Floyd, like you, avoids the issue by spouting a lot of empty words.

Seriously. To quote Elvis "A little conversation. A little more action please."

Wheres the answer Ender? I ask you a question who brings the bigger money fight for Floyd? Manny or Mosley?

floyd will just get frustrated when all manny gives him is a smile after all the trash talk.

Right! Now that Floyd has publicly stated Pac will absolutely NOT beat him, and requested that he publicly state out of his mouth that he wants THIS fight.

The only answer that remains is...

YES or NO.

isnt mayweather the "cash cow" of boxing? meaning he'll do the numbers with any other opponent?

Oh. Sorry.
Manny vs. Floyd is the biggest fight that can be made.

but

In my opinion, Mayweather/Mosley is just as good of a fight (maybe better) and more of a pick 'em.

I think Floyd beats Manny by decision but I wouldn't be surprised if he could walk Manny into something ugly.

Superior defense and intelligence wins championships and I believe Floyd brings both to the table.

If they are on even ground as big names in the sport (at this point that's fair to say) and as champions (which they aren't because Manny has won titles in more divisions but that's quibbling and a whole other debate) then Manny's wish to let his promoter make the best fight for him is just as valid a response as Mayweather's demand.

After getting made to look like a fool by the RA the Rugged Man interview and seeing how much the press and fans truly love Manny (who is far more genuine, comfortable with himself, and exciting as a fighter), this is all reads like Floyd trying to get a measure of control. It won't work as Arum has already said they won't negotiate in the press.

Mayweather's damaged little ego is showing.

Almost shocked to hear you give Floyd the edge over Pac, personally I see it as an easy fight for Mayweather. A slow, hurt, damaged Cotto was able to circle Pac and frustrate him in the middle rounds, Floyd can do that all day but while landing punches. I don't see Floyd-Mosley as a 50/50 either, I think Mayweather outboxes him easily as well, not because of a skill disparity but because Mosley is aging and is not nearly as active in the ring as he should be. The night Mosley fights Floyd is the night he will grow old in the ring.

Why are you shocked? I've been saying it and writing it since teh fight was a remote possibility. Whose the hater here? You of me, I guess. I've give Floyd tons of credit as a fighter but am realistic when it comes to his accomplishments past 140. I'm just as objective with Pacquaio. End of story.

The way Cotto moved away so easily gave me the same thought regarding Manny vs. Floyd. But at the same time, it showed Manny's smarts. He had tasted Cotto's power, even admitted to being hurt a few times and was up big on the cards. Sure, he wanted the KO but he went about his work intelligently.

As Freddie always does, he will work on specific needs to fight Floyd. Cutting off the ring will be chief among those needs.

That's a valid take on Shane vs. Floyd. It could just as easily go there. That's why writers like myself have pushed for Floyd to fight Shane now. IMO, Shane has himself as much to blame for being in the position he is in. But Floyd has wanted to wait Shane out IMO but at the same time, Shane hasn't put himself in any position of power as of late.

Shane won't grow old when Floyd fights him. He'll be old because he had to wait that long. Big difference.

I think the Berto fight will tell us something. Berto is fast. Speed bothers older fighters, and Mosley hasn't fought a fast fighter in over six years.

I said this exact thing to my pops last night!

Ya, it's something I noticed earlier today. Speed, of course, bothers lots of fighters but it seems more pronounced with older guys. Holyfield could grind it out with Ruiz but was flummoxed with Toney's speed. Jones does fine with slow guys like Trinidad and Lacy but can't handle a speed demon like Calzaghe. Hopkins, likewise, tears apart a molasses-like Pavlik but can't quite get a hold of Calzaghe and Taylor.

Age underlines speed, I think.

ok manny its your turn floyd made his move, so now all u floyd haters can shut the hell up now. floyd is ready

dude, wtf

Collazo and Cotto are pretty fast, IMO . I hear what you're saying, though.

Nothing we don't already know. Floyd is younger and possibly faster than Shane. The fight is a no brainer that won't be worth a shit by the time it happens (if it does).

I agree. That's why I was saying that I'd give Floyd full credit for beating Shane if the fight were to happen fairly soon, but if they end up fighting in 2011 or some sh*t, I reserve to right to change my mind. I don't know if Shane has one good fight left in him or two or none at the moment. Only thing I know is that he's coming off of a fantastic win so his stock is high and beating him now would be applauded by most fans and writers.

Already know about what? Shane hasn't fought a fighter approaching Floyd's speed in at least six years. I'd like to see if he can still handle it. Holyfield couldn't. Jones couldn't. Even Hopkins couldn't, to a degree. Mosley is arguably in the same class. Can he?

First let me say the Pacman vs Cotto fight was a good fight.

Now, Cotto show have never went in thinking KO, should have just let it come if it didn't box yourself to a win. Cotto did have the wrong game plan. He thought by doing the catchweight thing he was the bigger fighter. He wasn't and his chin didn't get stronger over nite either..lol..When he box his jab was a work of art. Should have stuck to boxing behind that sweet jab, but instead he play into Pacman hands. His trainer told him you are fighting his fight. BOX. Work behind the jab. Cotto went for the kill and found out the hard way Pacman could take his punches and hurt him.. PBF don't give a damn about hurting a fighter. He is good with his safety first boxing style. Which is why he is so good. His ring IQ is so high it is scary.. PBF would just box pacman all nite with his well time jabs and pop shots... Pacman head would look even funnier snapping Pacman head back then Cotto..lol.. I see him using that awesome "D" to get in close pop shots and that underrated jab to win a UD.