Pacquiao eyes possible bout with Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao is open to the possibility of facing former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. – that is, if he wins over Oscar De La Hoya in their December 6 bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. "That’s a possibility," Pacquiao said in an interview with Brad Cooney of boxingherald.com. "If I win this fight maybe Floyd Mayweather will come out of retirement looking for a big fight." Pacquiao added that he looks to have more fights after facing De La Hoya and a meeting with Briton Ricky Hatton is also possible. Pacquiao, however, said that he would focus first in his upcoming mega-bout against De La Hoya. "I am focused on my training," he said. "I will train hard for this fight. I came to training camp early for this fight, because I know that I would have to." The Filipino boxing icon believes that his speed and stamina will be his advantage against De La Hoya. Pacquiao said he would use that advantage in trying to beat the 1992 Barcelona Olympics gold medalist. Pacquiao is also predicts that De La Hoya will get tired late in the 12-round match, an opportunity which he will also use to his advantage. "We believe that he (De La Hoya) may get tired in the later rounds." he said. "That is one of our advantages." Pacquiao is also sparring with boxers the same size of De La Hoya to prepare him for the fight. He also assured his fans not to worry saying that he can handle De La Hoya. "Well, what I can say to them is just relax and take it easy. I can handle this," he said. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has been asking Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Eric Buhain to suspend Pacquiao’s license in order to stop him from fighting the much bigger and taller De La Hoya. – GMANews.TV