By Ronnie Nathanielsz
World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder says even though people will disagree, he’d like to see a rematch between unbeaten pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr (now retired) and eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who announced that his third fight against Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 9 will be his farewell bout.
Appearing on Jenna Jay’s popular radio show “On The Ropes” Wilder said “both guys said they would retire but I think Floyd’s coming back. I would love to see Manny having a rematch with Floyd one more time. The first time I already knew what was gonna happen . It was a great performance from Floyd but I think a second time will be a closer fight.”
Wilder added, “I think that would be the fight I’d love to see. If Floyd wins he beats Rocky Marciano’s (49-0) record and he can officially retire because I know he’s coming back. Floyd is not a guy that looks to be with anyone. He’s just not a person you think would retire with a tie with somebody. If Floyd wins then he can successfully retire and making history as well by defeating Manny again. If Manny wins , he can also retire whether he wins, loses or draws.”
Asked by Jenna Jay what he thought of Pacquiao, the world heavyweight champion said “I think a guy that was unknown and came to the States to be known and then to be able to do the things that he’s done, its amazing.”
Wilder said “I think Manny has nothing else to prove anymore . I think he’s done a great job and has definitely been an ambassador of boxing. A lot of people look up to him , he makes his country proud as well and he can definitely go out with his head held high and say he has accomplished a lot of things for the sport of boxing.”
In a message directed to Pacquiao, Wilder said “I want to tell him that I appreciate him for his time and his sacrifices up in the ring because its not easy to risk your life in the ring each and every time and not knowing what’s gonna happen after the fight. Sometimes we may be good after a fight but then days or weeks later something wrong with us because the head is not to be hit in the first place. People don’t know how serious boxing really is , to be getting hit with these small gloves . With that being said I applaud him for a job well done and I thank him for the entertainment and the things he’s done for boxing.”
