• Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather Jnr

Mayweather tells Pacquiao: 'Step up punk'

Manny Pacquiao demanded on Tuesday that a fight be made between he and Floyd Mayweather Jnr, and the American has responded by "calling out" the Filipino fighter.

Pacquiao spoke extremely clearly of his wish to fight Mayweather, telling PhilBoxing.com that he wants nobody else as his next opponent. Pac-man's comments come just a week after promoter Bob Arum said it would be the fighter who chooses his next rival.

"I've said this over and over before and I'm saying this again, I want Floyd Mayweather Jnr to be my next opponent and I haven't changed my choice despite recent developments," Pacquiao said.

"I am meeting with my promoter, Bob Arum, and I will insist that the fight with Mayweather be given the preference. Whoever the fans want me to fight, I will face him atop the ring."

Momentum for the fight has gained since a Las Vegas judge ruled Mayweather's jail sentence would not start until June 1. The decision was made largely due to the pre-booked date of May 5, which is pencilled in for Mayweather's next bout.

Complex negotiations between the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps must still take place before the pair can lock sights on one another, but the American issued his response to Pacquiao late on Tuesday, labelling him a "punk".

"Manny Pacquiao I'm calling you out, let's fight May 5th and give the world what they want to see," Mayweather tweeted. "My jail sentence was pushed back because the date was locked in. Step up punk."

The next step will be for the respective camps to see eye-to-eye, something which they have never previously managed, and Pacquiao admits the situation may be taken out of his hands. "I don't choose the fight," said the 33-year-old. "It is my promoter who does because it's his job. My job is to fight, everybody must realise that."

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