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Source: gmanews.tv

-- While clamor for a possible megabuck showdown rages on, American superstar Floyd “Money" Mayweather, Jr. has publicly challenged Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao to categorically state he wants to fight him.

On Monday right before his concert in Los Angeles (Tuesday in Manila), the seven-division world champion from General Santos City took up Mayweather’s dare for a callout.

Asked point-blank by Cher Calvin of KTLA TV station, Pacquiao declared: “For the record, yes (I want to fight Mayweather)."

Pacquiao-Mayweather has become every boxing fan’s dream matchup after the two pound-for-pound icons disposed of their respective foes. The unbeaten Mayweather came back from a year of “retirement" to dominate an undersized Juan Manuel Marquez in their welterweight clash last September while Pacquiao, his successor as P4P king, demolished Miguel Cotto in 12 rounds over the weekend to win a record world title in a seventh weight class.

So hot was the superfight (expected to generate record PPV numbers) that Las Vegas casinos have already started taking bets on which fighter will prevail.


The 32-year-old Mayweather has continued to belittle Pacquiao’s skills though, calling the Pacman "one-dimensional." He said if the Filipino wants a gig with him, he has to “step up to the plate and say that himself."

While Pacquiao just let out a grin when asked to comment on Mayweather’s one-dimensional dig, his outspoken trainer Freddie Roach quickly rose to give a counter.

“Let’s fight and we’ll see (who’s one-dimensional)," Roach said.

The Hall of Fame trainer also turned the tables on Mayweather. “If that’s the case, all he does is run. He’s one-dimensional too, run, run, run. We’ll attack, attack, and attack, and that’s what makes it a big fight."

Concerned promoters have reportedly started initial talks for the possible big-moneyed bout but this early, issues that could derail the tussle have already propped up, including purse share (both wanting the bigger pie) and weight (Pacquiao’s camp demanding a catchweight of 145 lbs and Mayweather insisting on the regular welterweight ceiling of 147 lbs).

Pacquiao, meanwhile, would want to enjoy a vacation first. The champ left the City of Angels Wednesday and is set to be back in the country on Friday (Manila time) to a hero's welcome.