MANILA – WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is not yet giving up on the possibility of having a rematch with retired American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. later this year.
Pacquiao, who arrived in the country on Thursday night following his successful title defense against Adrien Broner last Sunday, said there could be developments on the rematch in one to two weeks.
“Siguro in 1 to 2 weeks malalaman natin,” said Pacquiao, who added that the rematch was not discussed during their meet up in the NBA game between Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers last Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
“Nag-say hello pa lang naman ako doon. Hindi kami nag-usap about sa rematch,” he added. “Pero palaging nag-ku-krus ang landas namin. Kung nasaan ako nandoon din siya.”
Pacquiao said even if the rematch is still up in the air, some countries, including China and Dubai United Arab Emirates, were already expressing their interest in hosting the bout.
“Maraming may gusto ng laban na ito. Maraming bansa na nagbi-bid ng laban. Meron China, Dubai, kung sakaling matuloy ang rematch,” Pacquiao said. “‘Yung schedule ng next fight either May, Cinco de Mayo or July. Kasi wala tayong trabaho sa Senate.”
After retaining his championship against Broner, the 40-year-old Pacquiao has issued a challenge on Mayweather to face him again but the American fighter did not show interest on it.
Mayweather and Pacquiao first faced each other on May 3, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena where the Las Vegas-native ran away with a 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112 unanimous decision win./PN
