Beverly Hills - Manny Pacquiao said on Thursday he would
welcome the opportunity of a second fight against Floyd Mayweather but
questioned whether the American could be lured out of retirement for a
money-spinning rematch.
Speaking at a press conference to launch his comeback fight
against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas on November 5, the Filipino boxer said he
would be ready to fight Mayweather again if there was a demand for it from
fans.
"If the fans want it, and he wants it, then I'm open to
it. I'm open to any fight," Pacquiao told reporters in Beverly Hills.
However Pacquiao - who abruptly ended his own retirement in
August following what was billed as his farewell bout against Timothy Bradley
in April - said he suspected only money would tempt Mayweather to get back in
the ring.
"You know in his heart, he doesn't have concern for the
fans. His only concern is to make money," former welterweight world
champion Pacquiao said.
"My concern is not only to make money but how I
entertain the people, how I entertain the fans," he added.
Mayweather outpointed Pacquiao in a unanimous decision
victory in their May 2015 super fight, the highest-grossing bout in history
which grossed more than $500 million according to most estimates.
Pacquiao, who later said he was troubled by a shoulder
injury during the fight, insisted however that he believes he won a battle
which largely failed to live up to its billing.
"I respect and honour the decision of the judges in the Mayweather fight. But if you ask me, I tell you frankly, in my heart, I believe I won that fight," said Pacquiao.