Manny Pacquiao believes his long-anticipated fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. should happen this year. If not boxing fans may not see them collide inside the ring anymore.
Mayweather, who holds a perfect 47-0 record with 26 knockout victories, called out Pacquiao last month for a showdown on Cinco de Mayo weekend - a challenge that was gladly accepted by the Filipino boxing icon.
The two camps have been negotiating for the super fight over the past several weeks, but recent reports indicated that the presumed May 2 fight is not close to being finalized.
Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion, admitted that if the fight will not be staged this year, it will be much harder for them to negotiate for the potential record-breaking showdown.
"I think if this fight doesn't happen this year, it will be hard to make it happen anymore," Pacquiao told The Guardian. "That's what I believe. It's been how many years? Five years working on that and nothing happens."
Pacquiao insisted that they have already did their part to make the fight happen, and are only waiting for Mayweather to sign the fight deal. The former pound-for-pound king reportedly agreed to undergo random drug testing and 60-40 share on fight purse, but has yet to get an answer from Mayweather.
The Filipino boxing superstar, who holds a 57-5-2 record with 38 knockouts, admitted the if the fight will not be finalized next week, they will have to strongly consider other options instead of waiting for Mayweather to decide.
"Me and my promoter Bob Arum have already agreed to all of the terms and conditions in the negotiations," Pacquiao added. "We're just waiting for a response. I think maybe next week we can hear from them. But we have a Plan B and a Plan C."
Arum, the CEO of Top Rank Promotions, recently told ESPN that Pacquiao will likely face British boxer Amir Khan if the current negotiation for the Mayweather fight will not come to fruition.
According to Arum, a group led by Prince Harry expressed willingness to stage a fight between Pacquiao and Khan in London. The famed promoter said that the Pacquiao-Khan showdown could be big as well, but they are still focused on convincing Mayweather to face Pacquiao on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
