• Welterweight

Mayweather Jr: Pacquiao had his chance

Floyd Mayweather Jr has not lost in 44 professional fights © Getty Images

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Unbeaten welterweight star Floyd Mayweather Jr says former pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao has missed the chance to face-off in what would be one of the biggest bouts ever seen on the canvas.

While the prospect of 'Money' fighting 'Pac Man' has long been hinted between the two camps, negotiations have hit several road blocks through the years, all of which have scuppered any hopes of an agreement.

First, the 36-year-old American demanded random blood and urine testing to which Pacquiao refused to accommodate. When the Filipino finally agreed to the testing, discussions stumbled over the purse split.

The WBA champion now believes that Pacquiao's career is in decline following successive losses Timothy Bradley and Juan Manual Marquez, stating the 34-year-old has missed the opportunity to feature in a blockbuster super-bout.

"Now, you got Manny Pacquiao talking, 'I'm ready to take the [random] test now.' Well, you could have taken the test a long time ago," Mayweather told Fight Hype."Now, I feel like his career has declined.

"Now it's like 'Okay, I'll do whatever now so I can get the big payday. Now I'll do whatever I got to do now.'"

Mayweather Jr recently confirmed his latest opponent as unbeaten Mexican Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. Both will put their undefeated records on the line, as well as respective titles, in Las Vegas on September 14 - a fight which has since sold out.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, will look to get back to winning ways in his next outing against Brandon Rios in Macau on November 14.

However, five-division champion Mayweather Jr is adamant a fight with Pacquiao looks increasingly unlikely, insisting the former eight-division titlist did not take the chance when it first arose.

"You had your time," Mayweather Jr added. "You had your time, and now Canelo [Alvarez] is in the spot. Canelo said 'I'll do whatever it takes,' so now we're fighting."

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