By John F. McKenna (McJack): Floyd Mayweather Jr. (41-0, 25 KO’s) who faces WBC welterweight title holder Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO’s) next Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has given conflicting comments to reporters with regard to a possible future fight with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s).
In July Floyd was quoted by Associated Content at a press conference in New York City to hype his September 17 fight with Victor Ortiz saying:
“We’re only going to fight the biggest and the best out there and Manny Pacquiao, yes, your next.”
But more recently Mayweather said the following when reminded by reporters of his earlier comments:
“I never said that. I never said that at all. Don’t put words in my mouth because the media is good at doing that.”
The problem Floyd Mayweather Jr. has is that he did in fact make those comments in July telling Manny Pacquiao “yes your next.” The quote was made on videotape for everyone to see and hear as was the follow up quote denying it.
Floyd is normally comfortable in front of the media and cameras so it is a little bit unusual for him to fall into the trap of saying one thing on camera and a few weeks later contradicting himself also on camera. To make matters worse “Money” accused the reporters who were present of putting words in his mouth.
The question many are asking is how much stock can be put into anything that comes out of the Mayweather camp when what is said this week is no longer relevant a few weeks later?
No one questions that Floyd is perhaps the best fighter of this generation. But there is increasing frustration by reporters who would like a legitimate answer as to when and if a fight with Manny Pacquiao is viable. The pat answer of “Manny just take the test” will no longer suffice and is an over simplification of the complexities of putting such a fight together.
Manny Pacquiao has put Floyd on the defensive by saying that he will be retiring after two or three more fights. He has also said that his legacy is secure with having won championships in eight different divisions and having won fighter of the year and decade awards as well as being universally acknowledged to be the Pound for Pound best fighter in the world.
The ball is now in Floyd Mayweather’s court.
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