Pacquiao: Negotiations on for fight with Floyd

General Santos City— Will it happen soon? Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao said Thursday negotiations were going on between his camp and that of Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a possible bout next year.

“There’s an ongoing negotiation now between our camps but I could not yet give the details,” he told reporters here after arriving from Manila.

Pacquiao said he was in doubt about a rematch with Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez, whom he defeated anew, and added that the next sensible and lucrative fight would be against Mayweather Jr., the undefeated World Boxing Council Welterweight title holder.

“That could be the biggest and the richest fight in boxing history. Hopefully, we can make it happen,” he said.

Previous negotiations for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight broke down when the latter’s camp insisted that the Filipino boxing icon take a comprehensive drug test.

Mayweather had accused Pacquiao of using steroids to boost his performance, a charge that the Filipino pugilist repeatedly denied.

Pacquiao said he was hoping that Mayweather Jr. would agree to fight him this time because of comments his performance against Marquez was disappointing.

Mayweather defeated Marquez during their 2008 fight in the 144-pound catchweight.

Pacquiao admitted that his performance during his last fight with Marquez was quite dull.

“I experienced muscle cramp on my legs and that constrained my movement atop the ring. It was also my first time to train for 10 weeks. But I’ve learned my lesson,” he said.

Pacquiao thanked his fans and supporters from Gensan and Sarangani for their continued support even after his dreary ring encounter with Marquez.

“I was touched and so glad that you stayed solidly behind me even after the Marquez fight,” he said.  INQUIRER