Floyd Mayweather has given the strongest indication yet that he is willing to begin negotiations for a super-fight against Manny Pacquiao, and has even suggested a date of 2 May next year.
The news will come as a blow to Briton Amir Khan, who fights Devon Alexander tonight in Las Vegas, in what has been muted as a semi-final to secure the lucrative Mayweather clash.
A bout between the two greats failed to materialise in 2009, and all of the talk since has been from Pacquiao’s camp, with the brash Mayweather keeping unusually quiet, until now.
“We are ready. Let's make it happen. May 2. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. Let's do it," Mayweather said in the interview in San Antonio on Friday night, where his promotional company was putting on a boxing card.
"I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao. We tried to make the fight happen years ago; we had problems with random blood and urine testing," Mayweather added.
"I just want to be on an even playing field. Now he's in a very, very tight situation. He's lost to [Juan Manuel] Marquez [in 2012], he's lost to [Timothy] Bradley [by controversial decision in 2012 but avenged it in April]. Pay-per-view numbers are extremely low.
“He's desperate. I wanted that fight a long time ago. I'm just waiting on them.
"Floyd Mayweather is not ducking or dodging any opponent. Now it's time for us to talk.."
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