Mayweather blasts Pacquiao after talks collapse

NEW YORK: Floyd Mayweather Jr launched a verbal jab at Filipino WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on Thursday after talks to revive their planned mega-fight collapsed.

"Throughout this whole process I have remained patient, but at this point I am thoroughly disgusted that Pacquiao and his representatives are trying to blame me for the fight not happening when clearly the blame is on them," Mayweather (pictured) said.

"First and foremost, not only do I want to fight Manny Pacquiao, I want to whip his punk ass."

A World Boxing Organization welterweight title bout slated for March 13 against Mayweather in Las Vegas was expected to be among boxing's biggest revenue-producing fights.

The bout, widely considered to have matched the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, was called off on Wednesday when Mayweather's demand for Olympic-style dope testing was rejected by Pacquiao.

Pacquiao's promoters announced on Thursday they will probably name a fresh opponent before the end of the week.

"We expect Manny to fight in March," a spokesman for Top Rank told Reuters.

"We're working on an opponent for him and we should have something finalised in a day or two."

Mayweather said he offered a compromise but Pacquiao refused to bend.

"Before the mediation, my team proposed a 14-day, no blood testing window leading up to the fight. But it was rejected," said Mayweather.

"I am still proposing the 14-day window but he is still unwilling to agree to it, even though this is obviously a fair compromise on my part as I wanted the testing to be up until the fight and he wanted a 30-day cut-off.

"The truth is he just doesn't want to take the tests.

"Manny Pacquiao and his team are denying the people a chance to see the biggest fight ever.

"I know the people will see through their smokescreens and lies.

"I am ready to fight and sign the contract. Manny needs to stop making his excuses, step up and fight."

Reuters

(China Daily 01/09/2010 page15)