Manny Pacquiao wants PROFESSIONAL rematch with Floyd Mayweather
Manny Pacquiao would like to fight Floyd Mayweather in a professional rematch but said the American is only open to an exhibition bout.
Five-division world champion Mayweather beat eight-division world champion Pacquiao on points in their £470million clash in 2015.
Pacquiao has said Mayweather ‘doesn’t want’ a professional rematch but said an exhibition bout with the American is on the cards.
Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, via FITE TV, Pacquiao said: ‘The Floyd fight, I am not sure a real fight is going to happen anymore. He doesn’t want to.
‘He would maybe do an exhibition. There is a chance for an exhibition fight to take place. That is possible. But, a real fight, I don’t think will happen.
When asked whether he would be happy to fight Mayweather in an exhibition bout instead of a professional fight, Pacquiao said: ‘Why not.
He went on to add: ‘Will every exhibition bout we have the chance to help people. So why not [take the fight].’
Pacquiao is known for his charitable deeds. He has always done everything he can to give back to the community and fight for the less fortunate.
The former eight-weight world champion has devoted himself to public service and donated more than one-third of his career earnings to charity.
The 43-year-old says donating to those fortunate is a passion of his as he can relate to their struggles.
Pacquiao has previously spoken about how he would eat once a day and sleep in the street due to his family’s circumstance.
Pacquiao only managed to pursue a boxing career after fleeing his home town by sneaking onto a boat headed for Manila.
Speaking about his charitable donations, Pacquiao said: ‘Since the start of my career, when I started earning money, I started helping people.
‘I know their feelings. I know their situation and I can feel that. That’s why heart desires helping people.’
Pacquiao went on to explain how the proceeds from his exhibition bout with DK Yoo in December will be used to help people in Ukraine and also to build houses for the homeless in the Philippines.
He said: ‘This exhibition match is a charity event. We are going to help the victims in Ukraine and also the less fortunate families in the Philippines.
‘We are trying to promote it [the fight] and I hope people will support this exhibition match to help more people in the world.’
When asked whether he was worried about putting his reputation on the line in his charity bout, Pacquiao said: ‘This is not about my reputation. It’s about how we can help the less fortunate people, especially those families affected by war in the Ukraine.
‘That is the goal. This is not about my career or my goals. It is about the people. The victims in Ukraine and the less fortunate families in the Philippines.’
Nevertheless, he did admit he would be training as if he was returning to the ring for a professional bout.
He said: ‘My training for this charity exhibition is the same as I have done in the past. You saw what we were doing in the past and that’s what we are going to do during this training camp. I will head back to the Philippines and start serious training.’
