by Ronnie Nathanielsz
"Fighter of the Decade" Manny Pacquiao awaits the response of undefeated pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr to the Filipino's challenge for the American to face him in the ring in a fight boxing fans have long wanted to see, with all income going to worldwide charities.
Pacquiao pulled off what many consider a masterstroke after Mayweather derided the eight division world champion on several occasions recently, claiming that Pacquiao was begging for a Mayweather fight because he had tax issues with both the US Internal Revenue Service and the Bureau of Internal Revenue in the Philippines.
While Pacquiao’s next opponent hasn’t been decided on as yet and Mayweather Jr hasn’t formally announced whether Amir Khan will be his next opponent this May, Pacquiao has fired back at Mayweather by challenging him to a fight and for both of them to agree to donate all proceeds, including their purses, pay for view income and other ancillary revenues to charities around the world.
In an interview with ABS-CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo, Pacquiao scoffed at the claim that he was only looking to fight Mayweather for the money and said he is "willing to fight for charity" and that depending on Mayweather's response fans will know who is willing to fight and who is not.
Pacquiao reiterated he is ready to face Mayweather "anywhere, anytime" and said "let's see what his answer will be since he claimed I was desperate for money and I am willing to fight for nothing."
The eight division world champion said there should be no problem about his offer to fight Mayweather with all proceeds going to charity indicating it should not be a problem for the promoters of both himself and Mayweather.
Pacquiao in an earlier interview with Aquiles Z. Zonio said he was “not desperate to fight him (Mayweather) just for the money or material things” and added he is “ready to submit to any kind of stringent drug testing and challenged the undefcated American to sign a contract which will state that gate receipts, PPV and endorsements as well as their guaranteed purses would be donated to charities around the world.