Manny Pacquiao is the best active boxer in the world. But would he still be the best boxer in the world if Floyd Mayweather Jr., who retired last year, returned to the ring?We might find out soon. Pacquiao, boxing's pound-for-pound king, said Monday that Mayweather's camp told him he should expect Mayweather to return soon. And that means that if Pacquiao beats Ricky Hatton on May 2, a superfight between Pacquiao and the undefeated Mayweather should happen before the year is out.
"I think he's going to fight again," Pacquiao said of Mayweather. "He's not really retired. ... I heard from Floyd Jr.'s camp that he's coming back to the ring."
If Pacquiao beats Hatton, a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight would be the biggest bout of the year in boxing. But Pacquiao thinks Mayweather, who hasn't fought since December of 2007, would be better off taking a tune-up fight against an easier opponent in his return to boxing.
"For me -- if I'm Floyd -- I would fight a tune-up fight and then fight me," Pacquiao said. "That's for me, but I don't know what his plan is. He might want to fight me right away."
The 32-year-old Mayweather surprised the boxing world by announcing his retirement last year, walking away with a perfect 39-0 record. But recently reports have surfaced that Mayweather has the itch to fight again -- and that he needs the money. Pacquiao could give him both his greatest test as a boxer and a payday of more than $10 million, making it a fight that could be too good to pass up.
Pacquiao's comments were part of a longer interview that will be posted this week here at FanHouse.
Pacquiao-Hatton Photos
** FILE ** This is a Dec. 6, 2008 file photo showing WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao celebrating his victory over Oscar De La Hoya after their welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas. Pacquiao won by TKO after the end of the 8th round. Pacquiao has been voted fighter of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America, Tuesday March 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison, File)
AP
Boxer Ricky Hatton, left, is seen during training session with his trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr in Manchester, England, Tuesday March 24, 2009. Hatton will fight Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao in a light-welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
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British boxer Ricky Hatton, centre, is seen during training session with his trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr, right, in Manchester, England, Tuesday March 24, 2009. Hatton will fight Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao in a light-welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
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A tattoo is seen on the back of British boxer Ricky Hatton, during a training session in Manchester, England, Tuesday March 24, 2009. Hatton will fight Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao in a light-welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
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British boxer Ricky Hatton adjusts his footwear during a training session at his gym in Manchester, northern England, March 24, 2009. Hatton is set to fight Manny Pacquiao of the Phillipines in Las Vegas in May. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
British boxer Ricky Hatton throws a punch during a training session at his gym in Manchester, northern England, March 24, 2009. Hatton is set to fight Manny Pacquiao of the Phillipines in Las Vegas in May. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
British boxer Ricky Hatton prepares to enter the ring during a training session at his gym in Manchester, northern England, March 24, 2009. Hatton is set to fight Manny Pacquiao of the Phillipines in Las Vegas in May. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Boxer Ricky Hatton, right, is seen during training session with his trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr in Manchester, England, Tuesday March 24, 2009. Hatton will fight Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao in a light-welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
AP
Boxer Ricky Hatton in action during a training session with his trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr in Manchester, England, Tuesday March 24, 2009. Hatton will fight Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao in a light-welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
AP
Boxer Ricky Hatton is seen during training session in Manchester, England, Tuesday March 24, 2009. Hatton will fight Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao in a light-welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-30-2009 @ 7:34PM
mike said...
Pacquiao-Mayweather has to happen. These are two of the all-time greatest small fighters. They can't walk away from the sport without fighting each other.
Reply
3-30-2009 @ 7:52PM
boxer129 said...
"But recently reports have surfaced that Mayweather has the itch to fight again -- and that he needs the money."
Man if he needs the money just 1 year after retirement, that's pretty pathetic. You'd think guys nowadays would learn from past boxers money management mistakes...
Reply
3-30-2009 @ 8:02PM
billy said...
i pray that my favorite boxer ricky hatton beats manny.hatton is a tough bloke..hes no joke.manny might be underestimating the hitman.good luck ricky.
God save the queen.
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3-30-2009 @ 8:56PM
Javier said...
What about cotto?
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3-30-2009 @ 9:20PM
shawn said...
Mayweather-Pacquiao is a must...boxing just ain't what it used to be. i can't think of any match-up's right now that i'll be willing to pay $40 &$50 bucks for. I miss the good ol' days when you had 4, 5 ,& 6 major bouts a year.Now we're lucky if we get 1. If floyd comes back this will be an unbielevable match-up and definetly worth spending the money on pay-per-view. As far as floyd needing the money, did'nt he get like $20 mill for that wrestling thing, plus all his other big pay-day's. damn the prices must be going up at the strip club...be nice if i could go to work for an hour and get $10 mill.....Go get'em manny!!!
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3-30-2009 @ 9:28PM
gernjewels24 said...
If Floyd comes back it will NOT be for money; that's is the most rediculous things I've read all day!
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3-31-2009 @ 9:10PM
Orlando said...
If Mayweather wants to fight again, he should give Juan M. Marquez a chance to fight him; if he doesn't he's in it for the money. VIVA MEXICO
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3-31-2009 @ 7:21AM
Rob16437 said...
Mayweather is gonna punch the crap out of whomever he faces..tuneup fight or not..!!
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3-31-2009 @ 8:38AM
Life of Music said...
If mayweather comes back to fight again, he will lose eventually, if he doesn't retire right after. If he fights Manny, I think it will go all 12 rounds, but Manny will beat Mayweather. Mayweather's attitude makes him a prime target to get beat. Oscar de la Hoya barely lost to him. Manny is a much better fighter than De la Hoya. But, we will see what happens.
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3-31-2009 @ 11:01AM
DAN said...
i'm sick of all these old wash up hasbens that come back to fight , i can't get into boxing anymore , MMA is where it's at , i want to see the badest people on the planet fight , not these guys that call themselfs fighters.
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3-31-2009 @ 12:27PM
John said...
"MMA is where it's at" Give me a break MMA is nothing but a bunch of fighters that were not good enough to make in boxing.
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5-10-2009 @ 5:05PM
darfkloyd said...
Couldn't have said it better myself.
5-10-2009 @ 6:32PM
kwilbur10 said...
if thats the case then why is it that two mma fighters have boxing debuts in the summer of 09. i bet you they will win. and this will be the end of boxing. cause then boxers will try their hand at mma and they would fall short, then everyone will begin to realize that the best fighters are in mma and not boxing anymore. sorry but fact.
boxing done in 5 years.
3-31-2009 @ 1:45PM
azni3reaker87 said...
Manny can easily beat both of them. Hes the top boxer at any level and will put them both on the ground by the 6th round. =]
Reply
3-31-2009 @ 4:45PM
BigBaller said...
Mayweather is a fool..just like all the rest who went out on top..then came back and got their a$$ kick3ed!! Paquiao is a beast and Mayweather does not have knockout power and although he has speed..Manny can still catch him. Prediction: Mayweather by very close decision, or Manny by T.K.F.O.
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3-31-2009 @ 5:15PM
yamobthere07 said...
Manny will beat Mayweather if the fight happens , just the way it works. Coming out of retirement and facing the current best in the world will end up in a loss for Floyd. Floyd you better take more than 1 tune-up if you want a piece of Pacman.
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3-31-2009 @ 6:43PM
mikey said...
Mayweather will fight again because he needs the money? WTF??????? What the hell did he do with all his millions in so short a time? When are these blacks going to learn and get an accountant? Didn't Mike Tyson's implosion teach them anything? And spare me the racial accusations. These stories have become so commonplace they qualify as a stereotype.
Reply
3-31-2009 @ 7:46PM
chillout10 said...
Ricky Hatton will get destroyed by Pacquio. Just a tomato can tune-up for Pacquio. If Pacquio can cut the ring off against Mayweather, he will punch his lights out.
Reply
3-31-2009 @ 7:54PM
kroetzmek said...
give him hell floyd
Reply
3-31-2009 @ 10:49PM
bjt1228 said...
Mayweather will lose against Manny. Mayweather retired because of the competition out there. He did the right thing. I believe he will be embarassed by Manny. Mayweather is quick but Manny is quicker and stronger.
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