• Boxing

'Amateur' Pacquiao missed his chance, says Mayweather

ESPN staff
April 25, 2014
Floyd Mayweather Jr could equal Joe Calzaghe's record of 46 fights unbeaten if he defeats Marcos Maidana on May 3 © Getty Images
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Floyd Mayweather Jr insists long-time rival Manny Pacquiao is beginning to fight like an "amateur", which is why the unbeaten American will not fight him.

Mayweather, who turned down Amir Khan to fight Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas on May 3, believes Pacquiao "had his chance" to step in the ring with him but failed to take it.

The two have previously come close to securing what would have been the richest fight in boxing history, only for negotiations to fall apart.

"He had his chance and he didn't take it," Mayweather told the Independent. "Now he needs me but he's not in the position he was any more."

Training is in full swing for Mayweather, who will equal Joe Calzaghe's unbeaten record of 46-0 if he successfully defeats Maidana in their world title unification bout at the MGM Grand.

Earlier in April, Pacquiao regained a world title of his own when he scored a convincing points win against Timothy Bradley to win back the WBO welterweight belt and continue his recent ring revival; although, Mayweather was not impressed with what he saw.

"I think both fighters fought like amateurs," Mayweather said. "I thought Pacquiao fought like an amateur too, and I wasn't pleased with his performance. He got the victory but I wasn't pleased with his performance at all.

"I don't see the same 'pop' in Pacquiao's shots. He also gets tired and he wasn't getting tired before. So, I'm seeing something totally different. Me? I'm still sharp, I'm still smart, I'm not getting fatigued.

"Those are the things that I see. I don't know if you guys see it but that's what I see."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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