Manny Pacquiao talking a little trash? He’s earned the right.
Former rival Floyd Mayweather was quoted as saying that young, prime fighters should be chasing each other, not the 41-year-old Pacquiao, whom Mayweather called an “old man,” according to FightHype.com.
Pacquiao’s response? Mayweather is jealous.
“He is just envious because he’s already retired. We’re still active, and have a crown,” said Pacquiao, who, at 40, outpointed Keith Thurman to win a welterweight title in July.
The young fighters are chasing Pacquiao for obvious reasons: His opponents generally earn career-high paydays and he’s deemed vulnerable, even after victories over younger Adrien Broner and Thurman. And, ironically, Pacquiao continues to chase a rematch with Mayweather for the same reasons.
Suddenly “Money” Mayweather doesn’t understand that reasoning?
“It’s sad that you hear guys say, ‘I want to fight Manny Pacquiao,’” Mayweather said. “But Manny Pacquiao is 41 now. Don’t chase him. You young guys chase each other. But stop chasing this old man. If the opportunity presents itself, go out and do what you got to do.”
“Let Manny Pacquiao pick and choose who he wants to fight. With everything he’s accomplished, hopefully, he’s made some smart investments.”
Pacquiao said he’s not thinking about another fight with Mayweather at the moment. “I’m concerned first and foremost about our countrymen and about how to resolve this (coronavirus) pandemic,” he told The Manila Times.
At the same time, he’s also not thinking about retirement.
“[I just finished hitting the] punching bag,” he said. “No retirement yet. Yes, I’m still training. God is good all the time.”
Pacquiao doesn’t know who or when he’ll fight next amid the pandemic. Mikey Garcia is among the leading candidates to win the Pacquiao lottery.