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Pacquiao wants to fight Mayweather
The newly-enthroned boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has chosen Floyd Mayweather as his next ring opponent in October.
- By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
- Published: 22:44 May 4, 2009
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) is on Manny Pacquiao's radar.
- Image Credit: AP
Manila: The newly-enthroned boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has chosen Floyd Mayweather as his next ring opponent in October.
"You know, I want to fight Mayweather. But I am ready to face anyone whom my promoters want me to fight in the ring," Pacquiao who became the International Boxing Organisation junior welterweight champion, said in a radio interview aired in Manila.
"I will wait for the result of Mayweather's fight against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18," said Pacquiao.
"I am now preparing for my next fight in October or November," said Pacquiao, but did not name his opponent.
Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach earlier said that Pacquiao will be paired with Mayweather only if the latter gets his weight down to 140 pounds.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao said he, his wife Jinky and their children will go on a tour. He did not give details.
He returned to his home in Los Angeles after Saturday's bout in Las Vegas in which he knocked out the British IBC welterweight champion in the second round.
Pacquiao's humble beginnings included odd jobs in a bakery and in the port area of General Santos in the southern Philippines. He was a light-flyweight champion and clambered up to a total of six weight titles, the world's only boxer to have achieved such a feat.
Last December, Pacquiao defeated Oscar de la Hoya and sealed the latter's retirement.
Congratulations for Pacquiao came from almost all Filipinos.
President Gloria Arroyo said "that Manny showed the world the best in the Filipino."
"His victory is the victory of every Filipino," said Vice-President Noli de Castro.
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