Rematch

AP

LAS VEGAS—They traded glances as if they were friends—not former bitter rivals—at Thomas & Mack Center here Saturday night.

Manny Pacquiao atop the ring, schooling Jessie Vargas, and Floyd Mayweather Jr., the retired unbeaten champion, watching intently at ringside upon the invitation of the man he has mastered in a super blockbuster bout last year.

The eye contacts and a reported sighting of Mayweather with some Filipinos at Aria Hotel after “The Legend vs The Champ” card, plus a sequence of events seemingly point to another confrontation between Pacquiao and Mayweather, regarded as the best and most influential fighters of their generation.

The morning after his one-sided conquest of Vargas that made him the first incumbent senator to clinch a world title (WBO welterweight crown), Pacquiao, sporting a gash in his scalp from a head butt that needed nine stitches to sew up, was back at his suite at Wynn after attending prayer service at the ground floor.

Converged at the main reception area were select supporters, relatives, security personnel, brothers Bobby and Roel, and mother Dionisia.

There, Pacquiao confirmed that he would want to avenge his loss to Mayweather, primarily because he wasn’t at his optimum best after re-injuring his right shoulder in the course of the “Fight of the Century.”

That fight earned a record $700 million, fueled by an unprecedented 4.5 million pay-per-view buys.

“If the fans want the rematch, then why not?,” said Pacquiao, who had barely two hours sleep,  whiling the evening away playing chess with Cavite-born Grandmaster Wesley So.  “We can easily talk about that. It’s not a problem.”

If Mayweather-Pacquiao II pushes through, Pacquiao guarantees that the bout won’t be a disappointment as far as action is concerned.

“If ever there was a rematch, I want to make sure the fans will love it. I will give all I can do to get back the trust of the fans,” Pacquiao told media men inside his room.

To reciprocate Pacquiao’s gesture, Mayweather reportedly brought a wrapped gift for the eight-division world champion and Fighter of the Decade (2000 to 2009).

Mayweather further fueled speculations after telling boxingnewsandviews.com Saturday that a [his] comeback is possible.

While there are other boxers available to fight for both Pacquiao, 37, and Mayweather, 39, they won’t get the same revenue a second showdown will generate.

Mayweather’s attendance Saturday was another indication that the former pound-for-pound king was amenable to take that direction.

A few months back, Mayweather visited Wild Card Gym and made casual talk with its owner and  Pacquiao’s chief trainer, Freddie Roach.

Last month, Mayweather heaped praises on Pacquiao, saying he’s one of the best among his 49 victims, before hanging up his gloves.

And last week, Roach received reports that Mayweather was back in his own gym, sweating it out, even sparring.

Asked for comment right after Pacquiao was announced the winner over Vargas, Mayweather simply said: “Not bad.”

Pacquiao, of course, put up another virtuoso performance to lure Mayweather out of retirement.

With spring in his legs and snap in his punches, Pacquiao showed Mayweather he can still do the dance—with grace and timing.

Another long break in the Senate from March to May may yet open the window for Pacquiao-Mayweather II.

Whether they want to see it or not, it’s largely for the fans to decide.

If there’s strong clamor, they’ll likely to get it.

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