Manny Pacquiao claimed he was not underestimating Jessie Vargas, but punctuated the press conference in California yesterday for their WBO welterweight championship by again taunting Floyd Mayweather Jr. to a rematch.
There was nothing of significance served about the Nov. 5 title bout, and what came up as press con main course was an offer by Pacquiao to put his desired rematch with Mayweather to a vote.
It could not be determined how that could be conducted, what method to use, or who would hold the poll.
* * *
Of course, the final word will have to come from Mayweather, officially and, by look of things, irrevocably retired.
Will Mayweather do a Pacquiao and unretire at the flip of a dollar coin?
You see, if the proposed poll gets conducted in the Philippines, we could expect a nod, although not as overwhelming as that one for their first encounter in May 2015.
* * *
Mayweather scored a comprehensive unanimous decision victory in that bout at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.
Mayweather, delighted by the colorful encounter and his clear victory, was initially bent on offering Pacquiao a rematch.
Mayweather even praised Pacquiao as a great boxer, adding “no wonder, he was at the pinnacle of his career.”
* * *
Everything however turned sour after Pacquiao, feeling cheated, claimed he thought he had won over Mayweather, who emerged unscatched after a splended display of sharpness, style and all-around skills.
Pacquiao would aggravate the situation after he claimed he had been forced to fight with an injured shoulder.
Those excuses, mind you, the more objective American boxing fans found incredible and anomalous.
* * *
In short, that rematch, as proposed by Pacquiao, could be expected to be voted down by majority of fans around the USA.
For the record, trainer Freddie Roach had honestly admitted Pacquiao could’ve done better in the first encounter with Mayweather, but is now also angling for a rematch.
Anyway, Pacquiao says he has been praying for a rematch with Mayweather not for money, not for any material reward.
* * *
Pacquiao says he would like to continue fighting mainly to bring on thrill and excitement.
He also took another dig at Mayweather, saying the undefeated pound-for-pound legend would fight again only if there’s enough cash on hand.
Floyd Jr. did not say it, but it’s also very likely Pacquiao wanted a second fight if only to avoid being remembered as the great warrior who got comprehensively beaten by Mayweather in the biggest, most expensive fight of the century.