"I think Pacquiao's a good fighter too and one of the best fighters out there," stated Floyd Mayweather Jr. as he paid a rare compliment to Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao. In a recent interview with Ismael AbduSalaam of AllHipHop.com, the undefeated multi-division champion talked about his upcoming clash this weekend with Juan Manuel Marquez and shared his thoughts on potential future bouts with Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto.
"Man, I don't have to have a hit list because I'm on everyone else's hit list...You can make a tremendous piece of change against me and that's why I'm constantly called out," Mayweather remarked as he made it clear that, assuming all goes well against Marquez on Saturday, he's willing to fight anyone and that he has no particular choice of opponent for his next bout.
When the names Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto were brought up, Mayweather suprisingly praised both fighters, while at the same time clarifying the difference between them and himself. "Cotto's a good fighter. I think Pacquiao's a good fighter too and one of the best fighters out there. The difference with me is that I'm a good fighter too and also an extraordinary businessman. I chose to have great businessmen around me to further my career," he commented, showing little concern as to whether or not his resume lists those two names on it.
The only other big fight out there for Floyd is a long-awaited clash with welterweight champion Shane Mosley, however, when the topic was brought it up, Mayweather quickly dismissed Mosley as a possible opponent as well. "Shane Mosley represents the 90's. Now all of sudden, after he got 5 or 6 losses, now he talking about 'Yeah, I want to fight Floyd!' Well, your career is almost over and now you want to fight me. They all want to talk about Shane's last fight [against Antonio Margarito], but he beat De La Hoya twice on steroids. So did he win all those championships? Absolutely not! He was on steroids. Now he talks about wanting to fight everyone out there? Shane, your career is over. You're almost 40. Give it up, Shane," Mayweather added.
Perhaps Mayweather's indifference towards future opponents is just a facade; a "poker face" that he wears to maintain leverage at the negotiating table. Regardless, the fact that he actually paid another fighter a compliment is a far cry from the days when questions about future opponents would illicit the response, "Who's that?" Thus far, the three biggest names out there for Mayweather are indeed Pacquiao, Cotto and Mosley. After November 14th, that list will have one less name on it. The question is which one of those guys will be next for the man who's constantly called out? Seeing as how Floyd's made it a point to remind us that he has great businessmen around him to further his career, my money is on Mosley to get the assignment. It may not be the biggest money fight out there, but it certainly will be the easiest to make.
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