Hollywood, Florida 3/22/2010 10:07:00 PM
Pacquiao: Mayweather "Needs Me"
Boxing Champ Ready for Challenge
Manny Pacquiao, who recently beat former IBF Welterweight Champion Joshua Clottey, is ready for another challenge. Earlier this year, negotiations for a Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight fell through after Mayweather insisted that Pacquiao submit to Olympic-style blood testing up to 14 days before the fight. Pacquiao simply refused to that condition, because he says that blood tests leave him feeling weak.On Monday, Pacquiao told reporters that, "I came this far in my boxing career without [Floyd] Mayweather [Jr.], so I see no need to call him out. He needs me to bolster his career. I am open to him fighting me anytime he wants to." In other words, it seems that Pacquiao is ready to accept a challenge from Mayweather, as long as Mayweather makes the challenge and doesn't ask for any more Olympic-style blood testing. That seems somewhat unlikely, at least partly because Mayweather has expressed an interest in creating a new professional boxing standard by requiring Olympic-style blood testing for all fights that he is involved in. In fact, Mayweather's adviser even said about the new testing program that "Every fight from this point on that anybody steps into the ring with him will be subjected to this." Only time will tell if we will ever see the long awaited fight between these two boxing greats. Mayweather is scheduled to fight Shane Mosley on May 1 in Las Vegas. Pacquiao predicts that Mayweather will win the fight, but the Filipino champ says, "If not, Mosley and I will fight."
Manny Pacquiao is easily one of the most talented and entertaining boxers of the last decade. On March 13th, his fight against Clottey brought in a record 45,000+ people audience, the largest crowd to see a fight in the U.S. in 17 years. If you would like to celebrate the career and achievements of this legendary boxer, then today is your lucky day, because Hollywood Collectibles carries a great selection of Manny Pacquiao autographed memorabilia, including autographed boxing trunks, signed boxing gloves, and signed framed photos. In fact, Hollywood Collectibles carries a large and impressive assortment of autographed sports memorabilia year round, and all of our memorabilia come with a certificate of authenticity, so you can feel confident about your purchase. We also carry basketball memorabilia, football memorabilia, celebrity memorabilia, and much more. If you mention this article, you can receive 10% off Manny Pacquiao signed collectibles.
