By Edward Chaykovsky
According to newly crowned World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, he spoke with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last weekend in Las Vegas - but the subject of a rematch was never brought up.
Pacquiao dominated Jessie Vargas over twelve rounds to capture the WBO belt at the Thomas & Mack Center. Mayweather arrived to the arena - per Pacquiao's invite- to watch the fight from ringside. His appearance at the fight has created widespread speculation that a rematch is brewing for 2017.
Their fight took place last May- with a record $600 million in revenue being generated and 4.6 million pay-per-view buys.
Mayweather retired last September after winning a twelve round decision over former champion Andre Berto. He's made hints about coming back, but nothing has been concrete.
Pacquiao is very willing to do the rematch, but so far nobody - including Mayweather - has spoken to him about that.
“We didn’t talk about the rematch. We just greeted each other when I invited him in my place after the fight,” Pacquiao told The Manila Times. “I guess the rematch is possible if he (Mayweather) comes out of retirement. He is retired. As what I’ve said, we didn’t discuss that."
Mayweather turns 40 next year. If they are going to do a rematch, it's now or never time. Pacquiao, 37-years-old, wants to have two more fights in 2017 and then evaluate his future in the sport. If the Mayweather rematch is not an option, he might be positioned to fight WBO/WBC junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford.
As far as Vargas, he's demanding a rematch as well. He felt the fight was close and he wants to do it a second time. Pacquiao will do it - only if the people demand it.
“It depends on the people if they like to see it again. It is up to the people,” Pacquiao said.
