Floyd Mayweather insists his is ready to reach out to Manny Pacquiao's people with the hope that 'richest fight in boxing history' can be held on May 2.
At last the fight everyone wants to see. Floyd Mayweather has called out Manny Pacquiao to fight him on May 2 - but only if he receives a much bigger share of the purse.
"We are ready. Let's make it happen. May 2. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. Let's do it," he said in a Showtime interview broadcast from San Antonio.
Mayweather, unbeaten in 47 fights, calls himself TBE - The Best Ever - yet Pacquiao has been waiting to fight him for what seems an eternity. Behind the scenes, Showtime, who have given Mayweather a $250 million six-fight contract, have demanded that he put up or shut up.
Behind the scenes, influential Top Rank promoter Bob Arum revealed he has been in talks with leading executives from CBS, the owners of Showtime. Now it looks as if pressure is being applied for Mayweather to earn his corn.
A Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, on and off around the negotiating table, is estimated to be worth upwards of a quarter of a billion US dollars.
"I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao. We tried to make the fight happen years ago; we had problems with random blood and urine testing," Mayweather added. "I just want to be on an even playing field. Now he's in a very, very tight situation. He's lost to Marquez (the great Mexican), he lost to Bradley. Pay-per-view numbers are extremely low. He's desperate. I wanted that fight a long time ago. I'm just waiting on them.
"Of course, we have to make the fight happen on Showtime pay-per-view, because 'Showtime Championship Boxing' is No 1 and will remain No 1. I'm the man. I'm here to stay.
"Floyd Mayweather is not ducking or dodging any opponent. Bob Arum is stopping the fight. We have been trying to make this fight happen behind the scenes for years now, but the fans and the people have been fooled because they have been listening to people just on one side. Now it's time for us to talk. We want the fight.
"I know that he's not on my level. The fans would love to see the fight. And, of course, I want to go out with a bang."
Mayweather then made his clarion call. "So let's make this fight happen. Manny Pacquiao, Bob Arum, you guys have been ducking us for years.
"We're tired of you guys fooling the public, fooling the critics. You guys didn't want to take random blood and urine testing, so that's why it didn't happen. Then I offered you $40 million (£25m), then you didn't want to make the fight happen.
"You lost twice, now you coming back begging for the same money. That's not gonna happen. Let's make the fight happen for the people and the fans. Mayweather versus Pacquiao, May 2nd, Cinco de Mayweather."
