Floyd Mayweather has insisted that he will only continue fighting if he wants to – unlike his big rival Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather pulled out of the ring in 2017 after his win over UFC star Conor McGregor brought his record to 50-0.
The 43-year-old pound for pound returned to an exhibition last year when he dominated Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa.
The 41-year-old Pacquiao, however, remains an active fighter and last summer highlighted Keith Thurman in an impressive presentation.
The Filipino, who lost to Mayweather in 2015, would probably have fought since then had it not been for the coronavirus crisis.
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
And in an interview with rapper Fat Joe, Mayweather said Pacquiao had no choice but to keep fighting for financial reasons.
“My skills and everything I got come first,” he said. “We just talked about your health being your wealth and that’s why I put this towel on, I trained today.
“Now Pacquiao is fighting because he has to; I fight again if I want, so there is a difference.”
Mayweather also denied claims against Pacquiao would be tackled too late in their respective careers.
The rivals had negotiated for more than five years before finally agreeing on terms and touching gloves.
(Image: Getty Images)
However, the fight has been widely criticized and fans claimed it was more exciting at the start of their careers.
“They always say in our heyday [but] I’m two years older than Pacquiao, “Mayweather added.” We keep saying “in its prime”. [but] When I defeated Pacquiao, they said he was not in bloom and I was older than him.
“And when I was fighting Oscar De La Hoya, they said he was old and we were both in our thirties. Whatever happens, it’s never good enough for anyone. As long as I’m happy, that’s important.”
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