LOS ANGELES – If there was one thing Manny Pacquiao learned while waiting more than five years for Floyd Mayweather Jnr to sign to fight him while they were in their prime, it was to get Mayweather to commit.
“Make him sign first,” Pacquiao told his representatives, who were working in unison with Netflix and the Sphere in Las Vegas. “Then, I’ll sign.”
Even with those stipulations, even with Mayweather signing multiple contracts to fight Pacquiao in a legit professional rematch of their richest bout in the history of prizefighting in September, and even with Mayweather using those contracts to secure a multi-million-dollar loan, the unbeaten Mayweather is reverting to his slippery, non-commital self to imperil the rematch.
Mayweather, at a public appearance in Las Vegas late last month, said the rematch is instead an exhibition and that he’s uncertain if it’s taking place at the Sphere.
That defies everything he has signed, Pacquiao and his representatives contend, and so after declaring Mayweather in breach of his signed agreements, the parties are waiting to see how sincere his effort to delay things [again] will be.
“I know he knows that the contract he signed is for a real fight. That’s how he got the advances from Netflix and the lender,” Pacquiao told BoxingScene at a family dinner attended by his boxer-son, Emmanuel “Jimuel” Pacquiao, and the legend’s five-month-old granddaughter.
Does record eight-division champion Pacquiao, 47, believe his fellow International Boxing Hall of Fame member Mayweather, 49, is working to squirm out of the fight in order to avoid any risk to his 50-0 record?
“There’s no reason for him to cancel it,” Pacquiao, 62-8-3 (39 KOs), said. “If he does, that’s his right, but he will face a lot of problems: from Netflix, [from event organizers and sponsors], MP Promotions … that’s why for this fight, I made sure that he signs first – based on my experience before.”
Pacquiao said he can recall signing two contracts that were later sent to the shredder during the period between 2010 and 2015, when Mayweather-Pacquiao I was ripe to be made as each occupied the top two spots in the mythical pound-for-pound rankings.
“Before the previous fight, we were dealing with him, dealing for like eight years. There were so many promises, and I think of all the times I signed a contract thinking that was the one. That was at least five years, with a lot of alibis.
“Him [still] changing his mind … you need to honor your commitment. This time, there’s no reason for alibis or excuses.”
Pacquiao’s close friend and business partner David Sisson showed BoxingScene a rare postfight photo from Pacquiao’s 2015 loss to Mayweather by scores of 116-112, 116-112, 118-110 at MGM Grand.
In the photo, Pacquiao’s right shoulder has three surgical incision marks repairing the rotator cuff tear that Pacquiao suffered in training and sought to fight through in the bout to avoid further delay of the historic clash.
Given that he’s older, but healthy this time, coming off his July draw with then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, Pacquiao said he’s been enthused about September 19 from the time the bout was announced.
Fighting for a world title so recently “is to my advantage because I worked so hard, I had that championship fight. [The Mayweather bout is a] definite victory.”
“I’m excited by all that given the fact it was not clear [who was the better fighter] the last time we fought. I had a lot of distractions and battling my shoulder problem … . I feel excited and strong now, knowing I have to be in 100 percent condition for this fight. That is my plan.
“I’m confident because I’m at peace, because God has blessed me with full health and strength. I’m confident because I can still fight.”
Whatever transpires, Pacquiao knows to expect the best version of a 49-year-old Mayweather.
“I know Floyd. Everyone knows he’s a very competitive person. He would never take a small fight or a big fight lightly,” Pacquiao said.
With the involved lawyers working to resolve the divide, perhaps Pacquiao would consider a personal meeting or phone call with Mayweather since they jointly created the biggest fight ever.
“There’s no need for me to say anything because he already signed the contract. What for?” Pacquiao asked. “I’m not angry, but that’s not right to cancel the fight. You have the right to cancel the fight, but you have a lot of consequences to face.”
What will Pacquiao do if Mayweather withdraws from the bout?
“We have no problem with that because we have lots of options. Netflix is always there. September 19 is always there. Plan B, Plan C … a lot of options,” he said without divulging names, although Pacquiao has been in prior talks to fight WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero and popular U.K. fighter Conor Benn.
On Tuesday, Pacquiao heads to New York to campaign to the United Nations for the Philippines to sit on the U.N. Security Council.
“Even though I’m not in politics, I’m doing my best to still help my country because I love my country,” he said. “I will contribute in any way I can.”
At Monday’s dinner, the intrusion of Mayweather’s uncertainty was an unwelcome visitor considering there were some post-fight tips to share with Jimuel and smiles to share with his beaming granddaughter, Clara, who is now front-page news in the Philippines thanks to social-media posts by Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee.
“The joy I feel right now is unexplainable,” Pacquiao said. “God is good. When you obey God, and seek his mercy, love and guidance, you will find happiness and peace of mind.
“I know that because that’s what I’m feeling right now.”
