London: Manny Pacquiao says he “feels pity” for arch-rival Floyd Mayweather and is resigned to the fact that the fight the world has been waiting for will not happen. But he says he is open to fighting Amir Khan in Britain.
The ‘Floyd Mayweather Question’ remains on everyone’s lips when Pacquiao is around, as the world waits to see whether the two most decorated prize fighters of this generation will ever meet in a ring in what could be the biggest grossing fight of all time, estimated at being worth $250 million (Dh920 million).
“I’ll never be frustrated if the Floyd fight doesn’t happen,” the eight weight world champion said, answering the question as patiently as he can.
“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.”
Pacquiao jokes that if the two cannot fight, they should meet one-on-one on a basketball court but, getting serious, he said: “Modesty aside, I’m happy and content with the legacy I have in boxing, even if I don’t fight Floyd.
“I always want to make the fans happy though, and I know they want that fight. I also know that if we did fight, it would be good for the sport.
“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.
“I pity him because all he thinks and does reflects the worldly aspects of life. He seems to have forgotten his spiritual nourishment.”
Amir Khan, a former gym partner and sparring partner in the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, run by the trainer Freddie Roach, said recently that he relishes a fight with Pacquiao and it appears to be something the 35-year-old is also keen on.
“A fight with Amir would be an exciting fight. I can fight him anywhere, even in England.
“I don’t know how much longer I will fight. I’d like to retire in the next few years, so for now I am willing to face anybody.”
Pacquiao’s work as Congressman in the Philippines for the province of Sarangani comes from his desire to fight poverty, he says.
He grew up in poverty himself, selling doughnuts on the streets for pennies in his home state to help his mother raise her family.
“All I wanted was to help my mother earn a living. Selling doughnuts taught me how to do business, how to make a living and how to be patient,” he said.
“When I bought them, the doughnuts were fresh, they smelled so good, and my stomach was rumbling. I knew that if I ate the doughnuts, my family wouldn’t be able to eat. So I sold them to get more money to buy more doughnuts so I could have enough money to buy food for my family.”
Serving his country and God are two subjects never far from Pacquiao’s lips. He says it is “God’s will that I fight” and that he is “fighting for the Filipino people — it’s not a burden”.
Pacquiao earns upwards of $20 million for each contest, and donates much of it to charity.
Huge queues form outside Pacquiao’s home when he returns after each fight. It is an extraordinary phenomenon, but it does not surprise Pacquiao.
“That is my purpose. I’m happy fighting for them [the people]. My goal is to continue to help the poor people and help create opportunities for people to reduce poverty.”
Pacquiao is known as ‘The National Fist’ in the Philippines and even carried his country’s flag at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Many observers believe that his unbridled popularity with the nation could disappear if he had to make hard political decisions.
There has been talk of him running for the presidency in 2020, and he says he has prepared himself if his life takes that course.
“As a leader, there will come a time that I have to make a hard political decision. If it makes me unpopular, I have to accept that.
“You can’t please everybody. If you please everybody, then that is the start of your failure. But it is God’s will that I fight.”
