Pacquiao ready to take smaller purse to make Mayweather bout a reality
Manager says Filipino superstar is keen to give supporters the mega bout they want
Manny Pacquiao is open to taking a smaller purse in a dream matchup with undefeated American Floyd Mayweather, the Filipino boxing hero's business manager said on Tuesday.
"The talks are already going on. It is more of what the fans want. It's not about the pay [level]. That's the least of his concerns," Eric Pineda said of the fight that the boxing world has been pining for.
Pineda declined to discuss the amounts of money involved, but in 2012 there was speculation that a fight between the two could lead to the first US$200 million purse in boxing history.
The talks are already going on. It is more of what the fans want. It's not about the pay [level]. That's the least of [Pacquiao's] concerns
Pacquiao defeated Chris Algieri, another once-undefeated American boxer, in Macau on Sunday in a successful defence of his World Boxing Organisation welterweight crown before throwing down the gauntlet to Mayweather, saying: "It's been a long time since I've been wanting this fight, it has to happen."
Sunday's fight saw Pacquiao, one of the world's richest sportsmen, knock down Algieri six times, convincing fans that the Filipino, who turns 36 next month, remains in shape to face Mayweather, 37.
Mayweather potentially has more to lose in a fight against Pacquiao, known by his fans as Pacman.
He has a perfect 47-0 record and has won world titles at five different weights, but a defeat at the Filipino's hands could blot that streak.