Handa si WBO welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao sa unification bout laban kay WBC at WBA champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. pero iginiit niyang iniiwasan siyang makalaban ng Amerikano.
Sa panayam ni Gareth Davies ng The Telegraph sa United Kingdom, sinabi ni Pacquiao na hindi siya natatakot harapin si Mayweather at kakasahan niya kung sino ang pipiliing kalaban ni Top Rank big boss Bob Arum.
“I’ll never be frustrated if the Floyd fight doesn’t happen. Though I’m ready to fight him anytime, anywhere - it’s him who refuses. I’ve made it clear that I want to fight him - it’s up to him now,” ani Pacquiao.
Ayon sa nag-iisang eight-division world champion sa buong mundo, natatakot si Mayweather na harapin siya sa lona ng parisukat.
“It’s obvious he is avoiding a fight with me. He always makes excuses. Just make the fight and stop talking. I’ve made it clear that my phone line is always open for him to call me,” giit ni Pacquiao. “I pity him because all he thinks and does reflects the worldly aspects of life. He seems to have forgotten his spiritual nourishment.”
Ipinahiwatig naman ni Arum na mas malaki ang tiyansa ngayon na magkasagupa sina Pacquiao at Mayweather lalo na kung maganda ang magiging performance ng Pilipino laban kay Algieri.
Nakipag-usap na siya sa presidente ng CBS Corp. na si Leslie Moonves na iuutos ang negosasyon sa kompanya nitong Showtime network na may kontrata kay Mayweather para matuloy ang megabout.
“I believe they have talked to Mayweather and that he is on board,” ani Arum. “Whether that is true or not, I don’t know.”