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Mayweather defends outburst

Cape Town - Regarded as the most complete, yet most controversial boxer, of his generation, Floyd Mayweather has defended another chapter in his illustrious career.

After Mayweather’s much publicised outburst with established boxing analyst Larry Merchant following his bout with Victor Ortiz, the undefeated champion defended his actions.

“Everybody is tired of Larry Merchant. He said if he was 50 years younger, that he would kick my ass.

“All of these boxing experts - how can you be a boxing expert if you never had a fight before?” Mayweather said at the post-fight conference.

Mayweather then quashed any hopes the boxing public may have of witnessing a much-desired clash with Manny Pacquiao, stating he has no desire to fight the Filipino.

“I don't need Pacquiao. Where was Pacquiao in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 when I was dominating the game?

“He never asked me (for a fight) when I was in my twenties or when I was in my teens.”

Meanwhile, Pacquioa’s gym mate, WBA and IBF junior welterweight champion Amir Khan says that although he would have done exactly what Mayweather did to Ortiz, but that the American is avoiding the Pacquiao issue.

“I really think he is ducking him because Manny Pacquiao is a huge name in America. He gets huge pay-per-view numbers and, whoever he fights, he sells out the arena. But I heard Mayweather versus Ortiz wasn’t even a sell out and there were a lot of tickets left. If that was Manny it would have been sold out straight away,” Khan told boxing website The Ring

“I think Mayweather comes out with a lot of excuses. That’s what makes him. A lot of people hate him and watch him, wanting him to get beat. But there are a lot of people who love him as well. That’s just his character.”
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