Manny Pacquiao has accused arch rival Floyd Mayweather for making excuses and avoiding him in the ring, hinting that the five-division world champion is afraid of risking his undefeated record.
Everyone is eagerly waiting for Pacquiao and Mayweather, two of the best boxers of this generation, to take their rivalry to the ring, with the fight predicted to gross over $250 million.
But the two boxers continue to elude each other in the ring, and Pacquiao, who will be defending his WBO welterweight title against the unbeaten Chris Algieri in Macau, China, this weekend, says that it is Mayweather who is avoiding the fight.
"It's obvious he is avoiding a fight with me. He always makes excuses. Just make the fight and stop talking. I've made it clear that my phone line is always open for him to call me," the eight-weight world champion told the Telegraph.
"I pity him because all he thinks and does reflects the worldly aspects of life. He seems to have forgotten his spiritual nourishment."
But, the 35-year-old Filipino insists that he will not be "frustrated" if he and Mayweather never meet in the ring.
"I'll never be frustrated if the Floyd fight doesn't happen. Though I'm ready to fight him anytime, anywhere - it's him who refuses. I've made it clear that I want to fight him - it's up to him now," he added.
The highly anticipated fight of the decade does finally seem possible after top rank CEO Bob Arum revealed that certain parties are currently discussing a possible collaboration that could bring the two champions face to face for the first time ever.
Although the 82-year-old American refused to throw more light into the matter, he confirmed that CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves (whose broadcasting network have a six-fight deal with Mayweather) is trying to work out a deal with HBO (who have signed Pacquiao)
"The networks are now already talking," Arum told gmanetwork. "I am now more optimistic that the fight is going to happen than I was three or four years ago.
"I am talking to responsible people who are in touch with the Mayweather guys. All of these people have the ability to move it ahead and make it happen."
