• Boxing

Mayweather Jnr fight will happen - Pacquiao

ESPN staff
January 21, 2010
Manny Pacquiao will continue to fight in the welterweight division © Getty Images
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Manny Pacquiao has insisted that his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jnr "will happen". The bout had been scheduled to take place early this year, but a dispute over random blood testing led to its cancellation.

The Filipino's next opponent is the Ghanaian Joshua Clottey, who he faces instead of Mayweather Jnr in March.

"It will happen. I'm still hoping a fight with Mayweather will be pushed through, maybe by summer," Pacquiao said.

Having failed to agree on sampling requirements with the American, Pacquiao said he feared being labelled a cheat: "I want to clear my name because I'm a very honest person. I'm very disappointed for what he accused me of. I'm clean. I'm not cheating. I'm a very honest fighter."

Bob Arum, founder of Pacquiao's promoters Top Rank, reaffirmed that the Mayweather Jnr contest could take place in the summer. "There's always later in the year and next year - it's up to Mayweather," he said. "But if he starts this nonsense again with testing or anything then let him take a walk."

Freddie Roach, who coaches Pacquiao, has confirmed that his fighter intends to remain in Mayweather Jnr's division. He told boxingscene.com: "Manny is going to stay at welterweight."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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