A television executive says a rematch between boxing legends Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is beginning to take shape.
Pacquiao’s unanimous decision win over Timothy Bradley on Saturday has renewed interest in a rematch between the welterweights.
Showtime Sports official Stephen Espinoza says Pacquiao’s impressive display in his farewell fight — he knocked Bradley down twice — means public interest in a second Mayweather-Pacquiao fight has spiked.
As with all things boxing, money talks and the original mega-fight grossed more than $600 million in May last year. But the casual fans who fueled that number were left bitterly disappointed in the quality of the action, which Mayweather dominated in a unanimous decision. Some blame Pacquiao’s shoulder injury he suffered while training for derailing the much-hyped fight.
Espinoza believes the increased interest in Money-Pac could be enough for the pair to fight one last time for another huge payday — and he’s even discussed it with the 49-0 Mayweather.
“I thought Pacquiao looked good, looked as good as he has looked in the last three or four years,” Espinoza told Ring TV.
“He was active. He showed the power. He was quick. But really in terms of a Mayweather rematch, it’s really up to the audience, to the fans and the writers. I know from talking to Floyd — if there’s demand for a particular fight — I think he will give it strong consideration.
“But I think this is one where we’re not going to put the cart before the horse. If people are interested in that fight, then I think they’ll make their voices heard and we’ll start working on it.”
Pacquiao has declared his win over Bradley was his final fight while he attempts to win election into the Senate of the Philippines when the country votes in the 2016 general election on May 9.
Mayweather also has not fought since his final win over Andre Berto in September.
None of that matters, according to Espinoza, if the price is right.
“It’s certainly more interesting now than it was a couple weeks ago,” Espinoza said.
“With that performance, what Manny showed is that he still has the ability to perform at a high level and arguably at a higher level than he did last May. So whatever the reason, if people believe that the outcome or really the fight will be different this time, I think there could be some interest that is building for that fight.
“My sense is that Floyd is waiting for something to sort of pique his interest. And if there is somebody out there that people want him to fight and there’s a big push or if he sees a fighter rise up that’s all of a sudden a big challenge to him — I think that’s what he’s looking for, something that will motivate him to get back into camp.”
Money talks.