MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao teased a potential rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr. following the unretirement of the undefeated American boxer.
Leading the official league title partnership signing between Sportsplus and his Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at Gameville Ball Park Monday, this was Pacquiao's short answer when asked about Mayweather unretiring.
"Abangan niyo na lang announcement (Just wait for the announcement)."
Mayweather retired in 2017 with a 50-0 record and has just kept himself busy with exhibition fights like the one he's having against former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson on April 25.
That would be Mayweather's last exhibition bout before he returns to the professional scene, his move amplifying the talks about a rematch against Pacquiao who will also have an exhibition fight against former world champ Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18 in Las Vegas.
"I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing," said Mayweather.
"From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards - no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience, and generate more money with each event."
Mayweather defeated Pacquiao via unanimous decision in their first clash dubbed as the "Fight of the Century" in 2015.
The American boxer announced his return to competitive professional boxing last Saturday, about seven months after Pacquiao's own unretirement when he battled Mario Barrios Jr. to a draw last July.
Three months later, Pacquiao said a potential rematch against Mayweather is one of the fights he's considering for his follow-up bout.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao announced the MPBL's strong commitment to ending the game-fixing activities that have mired the league in the past few years.
"As the founder of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, I am always watching to protect the integrity and the name of the MPBL, our league," said Pacquiao.
"I said this before and I’m going to say it again today — do not get involved in game fixing. It will only ruin your life. You are just being used by the syndicates behind it.
"We can play the game fairly and show it to the public. Getting involved in that will only destroy your integrity as players."