Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has ruled out fighting Manny Pacquiao again as the American seeks to avoid further punishment in the ring.
Mayweather, who said he would fight Conor McGregor next year until the UFC star turned him down, will only compete against opponents who do him no harm.
At 45 years old, “Money” knows he has a limited lifespan. Trading blows with Pacquiao for the second time doesn’t come into the equation.
Pacquiao is two years younger than Floyd and much fresher, having only retired in 2021.
Will Floyd Mayweather fight Manny Pacquiao again?
Until he officially hangs up the gloves, Mayweather will continue to face the stars of the UFC, non-threatening friends, sparring partners and Japanese kickboxers.
“I retired from the sport [in 2015]. I didn’t let the sport retire me. I’m not going to take the punishment to the point where I can barely walk and talk,” Mayweather explained when asked about Pacquiao at the RIZIN post-fight press conference.
Mayweather was speaking after quickly throwing Mikuru Asakura to the mat to win the second round.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, he added: “I’m not going to fight anyone [who is dangerous] although because I’m not going to put myself in a position where I’m tough and tough.
“It’s about working smarter, not harder. I’m getting smarter in life. I had a great career because the less you get hit, the more you can endure.
“As long as I don’t get hit, I’ll keep putting on displays and having fun.
“I make a lot of money from these shows. But like I told you, I’m not taking any abuse. If they were doing any bodily harm, I’d have to walk away completely.
“I’m not going to put myself in a position where I get brutally beaten or punished,
Wise words from Mayweather, who has been linked to either McGregor or Pacquaio for a showdown in Las Vegas next June or July.
Pacquiao’s return
Pacquiao now has a decision to make regarding his future. He is still mentioned at the same time as IBF, WBC and WBA belt holder Errol Spence.
But challenging again for the welterweight title after becoming the oldest champion in the weight class doesn’t seem high on the agenda.
DK Yoo, a combat YouTuber, and Jaber Zayani, an unbeaten boxer, sit on Pacquiao’s fight list in December and early 2023.
One fight that is not on the cards is a rematch with Mayweather. That is despite an exchange between the pair in Japan.
“There is no plan on how to beat Floyd Mayweather. He can tell you himself. He is a member of the Hall of Fame, but nobody has a plan on how to beat Floyd Mayweather.
“Don’t let them trick you into getting your ass kicked again,” Mayweather told “Pac-Man.”
The former senator from the Philippines responded: “He is older than me. I am still young, so what I have done and achieved in boxing is unique.
“Gain [world championships] eight different weight divisions is not easy. I am not trying to brag about what I have achieved in life.
“I’m just saying this in case you forget. The best fighter in the world has humility.”
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Mayweather snapped back: “I’m not here to talk about your personal life. When we talk about what’s going on in the ring, I’m the best!
“It doesn’t matter how you rate it. It doesn’t matter how you cut it and it doesn’t matter how you cut it. If you go back a hundred years, three hundred years ago, to now, there’s only one better, and that’s Floyd Mayweather.”
There is no doubt that fans would love to see the return of Manny Pacquiao. At least to try to finish his career on a high after losing to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision in the United States.
However, it doesn’t seem likely that it will be Mayweather. He made a comeback in November against YouTuber Deji in Dubai. Pacquiao has several options open now that he, too, has entered the exhibition circuit.
Move with Juan Manuel Márquez [four-fight saga]ESPN analyst Timothy Bradley [controversial split decision loss and two acts of revenge]and a possible professional comeback remain on a fruitful table for Pacquiao.
After Zayani, Pacquiao is likely to fight again in April or May.
WBN editor Phil Jay has over ten years of boxing news experience. He follows WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews, Instagram and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
