22 February 2023 , 19:15
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Floyd Mayweather has played down the prospect of meeting Manny Pacquiao in a high-profile rematch.
Boxing legend Mayweather will return to the ring in his latest money-spinning exhibition fight this weekend when he makes his UK debut against ex-Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers. The American star has now retired from the sport but is widely remembered for being one of the greatest to grace the ring, defeating the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Pacquiao during his 50-fight professional career.
His huge meeting with Pacquiao is considered arguably the biggest fight of the modern era, given it currently still holds the record for the most amount of pay-per-views sold for an event. During a chance meeting last year, the pair teased a potential rematch with the Filipino particularly keen on exploring a way to rekindle their rivalry.
However Mayweather believes their chance to touch gloves passed in 2015 when he was handed a points decision win over his fellow great. "We had a chance to do it when it really counted, for all the marbles," Mayweather told Boxing UK at today's press conference to launch his fight with Chalmers at the weekend. "I was able to go out there and generate crazy numbers.
"We had a chance to do it and you know what the result was. My focus is Saturday - that’s why I’m here, to entertain people and the United Kingdom. Blood, sweat and tears. I’ll tell Manny Pacquiao to be the best you can be at whatever you’re doing. These exhibitions keep me motivated to say in shape. I go to the boxing gym regularly and help young fighters, give them pointers.
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"I help put them in the position to be the next Floyd Mayweather, the next Manny Pacquiao. I’m looking for up and coming talent and pushing them to be great. If I was taking brutal punishment I couldn’t do it anymore. My career was great because of my defence. My faculties were important to me. I retired from the sport and I didn’t let the sport retire me."
Floyd Mayweather looks unlikely to fight Manny Pacquiao again (Masatoshi Okauchi/REX/Shutterstock)Would you like to see Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao 2? Let us know in the comments section below
Pacquiao's chances of a second fight with Mayweather appeared to rise late last year after he returned to the ring in an exhibition against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo. Prior to that fight, the 44-year-old had spoken about a fight with 'Money' again but it appears no official talks were ever opened.
Now the Filipino star is instead eyeing a series of professional fights despite retiring after defeat to Yordenis Ugas, which could include meetings with Conor Benn or Kell Brook. Meanwhile Mayweather remains committed to the exhibition scene and could fight around the globe in further outings in 2023.