During the Fight of the Century held at the MGM Grand Arena last Saturday night, it was obvious that Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao was not performing up to par.
While others contend that this is because Floyd Mayweather Jr. is simply the better fighter,the latest reports reveal that Pacquiao’s performance was hampered by a torn rotator cuff. Putting this into consideration, perhaps his opponent Mayweather has agreed that it was an unfair fight and, according to an ESPN reporter, the unbeaten boxer has expressed in a text message that he would like to go for a second bout.
Floyd Mayweather says he is willing to grant Manny Pacquiao a rematch >> http://t.co/lI5hHsuHO9 #SSBoxing pic.twitter.com/GTwjuzStd5
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) May 6, 2015
ESPN journalist Stephen Smith recently stepped forward claiming that Mayweather has sent him a text message saying that he was ready to fight Pacquiao after the Filipino boxer recovers from his surgery.
The text message allegedly read, “I will fight him in a year after his surgery.”
This revealing text message from Mayweather was reported by ESPN but there are no confirmations as of date from the boxer’s camp if he truly made that declaration.
Although the thought of a fair rematch might sound thrilling, the controversial text message has raised a few eyebrows, since it contradicts Mayweather’s previous statements. After his fight, the boxer expressed his desire to retire after his upcoming fight on September. By then, if he wins, he will have the same numbers as Rocky Marciano who remained undefeated at 49-0.
“My last fight is in September, and then it’s time for me to hang it up,” Mayweather related to the media.
Whether Mayweather’s offer is legit or not, the Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch might take a while. According to Pacquiao’s doctor Neal ElAttrache, the Filipino boxer is looking into nine to 12 months of recovery time . Aside from that, another question that needs to be put into consideration is will Pacquiao be able to fight again after he has recovered.
Why Manny Pacquiao could face four years in JAIL after failing to disclose pre-fight injury http://t.co/tUXJxfzw0d pic.twitter.com/ggQeZ2b04T
— Mirror Sport (@MirrorSport) May 5, 2015
The answer is still unclear as Pacquiao faces threats of being imprisoned for not revealing his shoulder injury on the pre-fight questionnaire. By signing a document with falsified information, the Filipino boxer might be sentenced with jail time of one to four years and a fine of up to $5,000. He will also be facing sanctions from the boxing authorities such as suspension.
However, if a Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch is indeed to happen, critics are asserting that it will not generate as much money as their first fight.
[Image via YouTube]
