Shortly after defeating Chris Algieri, Manny Pacquiao said he was ready to face Floyd Mayeather Jr. and suggested the undefeated champion was afraid to fight him.
Pacquiao defeated Algieri by unanimous decision after dominating for most of the match. Now, Pacquiao believes he's ready to take on Mayweather.
"I'm stronger and faster now. I'm so happy with my performance. Yes, I'm ready to face Mayweather. I was never discouraged after that loss to Marquez," he said, via Bloody Elbow. "I just learned that I needed more determination and focus, and I learned that from that fight."
When asked if he thought Mayweather was afraid to fight him, Pacquiao said: "Yeah, it's kinda like that."
For one reason or another, the fight has never come close to happening. At first Mayweather said he wouldn't fight Pacquiao because the latter refused to do a drug test, but the holdup now appears to be the split of the purse.
Mayweather has indicated he would retire after two more fights, when his six-fight contract with Showtime expires. Many have speculated Mayweather's last two fights would be against Pacquiao: one in May and a rematch in September. Mayweather, though, hasn't given any hints about his plans.
"I don't even think about Pacquiao," said Mayweather. "I don't even know him, actually. But I wish him nothing but the best. But that's not my focus. I could care less what Pacquiao does. I don't wish anything bad on the man. I try not to focus on no one else's business.
"If it happens, it happens. You guys can keep asking the same questions over and over. I move when I want to, where I want to and how I want to. Hopefully, it's next."
