Mayweather challenges Pacquiao via Twitter

Never one to keep his mouth zipped, boxer Floyd Mayweather once again took a stab at Manny Pacquiao, challenging the Pinoy boxing pride to face him in the ring.

Mayweather made his challenge via Twitter, Wednesday, posting, “Manny Pacquiao I'm calling you out let's fight May 5th and give the world what they want to see.”

He went on to add, “My Jail Sentence was pushed back because the date was locked in. Step up Punk.”

Last month, Mayweather pleaded guilty to domestic battery and no contest to two counts of harassment for assaulting the mother of three of his children and threatening his two sons on September 2010.

But a Las Vegas judge on Friday delayed the 90-day jail term for Floyd Mayweather Jr. after his lawyer argued that the sentence would interfere with training for the boxing champ's upcoming May 5 bout with an unknown opponent, saying that it could be worth $100 million to the city.

Justice Melissa Saragosa gave Mayweather until June 1 to report to the Detention Center to serve the sentence.

Boxing promoter Bob Arum, who is currently in the country to meet with the Pacman to discuss several possible matches in the coming months, is skeptical about Mayweather’s public dare. He says that as far he knows, Mayweather’s camp is already deep in talks with boxer Robert Guerrero’s handlers for a May 5 fight.

But in an interview with the LA Times, Arum said that he’s willing to give in to Mayweather’s offer only if "they're willing to move to June 9."

"[Only] then can we sit down and work out a deal," he added.

Arum said that he is willing to "chip in for lawyers' fees" to further delay Mayweather’s jail time so that a June 9 bout could occur.

"June 9 is perfect," Arum said. "May 5 is out, that's impossible."

The extra time is needed for construction of an arena, said Arum, claiming both fighters could generate an extra $40 million by fighting at a 40,000-plus-seat venue rather than at the 16,000-capacity MGM Grand.

"You don't throw $40 million away," Arum said.

Pacquiao for his part has always said that he is “open” to a match with Mayweather, “anytime, anywhere.”

Only a few weeks ago, he even told reporters that he is going to convince Arum to let him fight Mayweather the soonest time possible.

Arum’s Manila visit will also coincide with the acclaimed Filipino fighter’s commercial shoot for a popular liquor brand, this according to news site interaksyon.com.

The same report said that the deal with the liquor brand has been signed as early as August of last year.

By NEIL RAMOS
MB.COM.PH

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