Manny Pacquiao built his entire career and legacy off my name, says Floyd Mayweather
- ‘Money’ writes a lengthy Instagram post ripping the Philippines icon days after the fighting senator defeated Keith Thurman
- Retired superstar says he ‘easily beat’ Filipino in 2015 and that ‘so-called experts and critics’ are ‘making every excuse in the world’ for a rematch
Last weekend, retired US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jnr only had seven words to say about Manny Pacquiao after the Philippines icon’s split decision victory over previously unbeaten Keith Thurman.
On Tuesday in an Instagram post, “Money” had plenty to say, suggesting Pacquiao built his legacy off his name and telling fans that he “easily beat” him in their 2015 megafight in Las Vegas.
The undefeated welterweight great accompanied his post with a photo of Mayweather landing a right on Pacquiao’s face in the lengthy post.
The American suggested Pacquiao, who last weekend won a split decision against Thurman in Las Vegas, owed his career legacy to him.
“I find it real ironic how every time Pacquiao’s name is brought up in the media, my name is always attached to it,” Mayweather said.
“This man’s entire legacy and career has been built off its association with my name and it’s about time you all stop using my brand for clout chasing and clickbait and let that man’s name hold weight of its own,” he said in his post.
The American boxer said he had “won so easily” in their 2015 record-breaking bout and “so-called boxing experts and critics” are “making every excuse in the world” for him to give the Filipino legend a rematch.
“Y’all are just upset that I broke Rocky Marciano’s record (49-0) and hate that a black, high school dropout outsmarted you all by beating all odds and retiring undefeated,” Mayweather said. “Ultimately, I will have the last laugh.
“For years, all you heard was that ‘Floyd is afraid of Manny Pacquiao’. But what’s funny is, when we finally fought, I won so easily that everyone had to eat their words!”
Mayweather sat at ringside for Pacquiao’s last two fights – a unanimous decision against Adrien Broner in January and against Thurman that saw the Filipino lift the WBA super welterweight title last weekend.
Fans have been clamouring for a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao and although that looks far off, the American with the 50-0 record didn’t deny there might be another megafight in future.
Mayweather was impressed by Pacquiao’s performance against Thurman last weekend and told the The Athletic website after the fight: “That doesn’t surprise me. That’s Manny Pacquiao.”
Pacquiao returned to a hero’s welcome in Manila on Tuesday. He thanked the media, friends and family for supporting him in a Twitter post.
‘Manny Pacquiao is still going strong’ – world reacts to Philippines icon’s ‘incredible’ win against Keith Thurman
“To the fans I fight for, the media who cover me, the friends and family who support me, and to @KeithFThurmanJr, who accepted my challenge, Saturday night was an honour and privilege,” the 40-year-old Filipino tweeted.
