Pacquiao ready to accept Mosley's challenge

MANILA, Philippines – Not one to back down from a challenge, Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said he’s accepting the dare of Sugar Shane Mosley, who has repeatedly called him out for a showdown. But the reigning pound-for-pound king reiterated that he would only climb the ring against Mosley if both their camps would agree on the terms of the fight. “Walang problema, pwede kaming maglaban basta magkakasundo sa negosasyon," Pacquiao told 24 Oras in an interview from his hometown General Santos City. Weight issues and money matters remain major considerations in choosing Pacquiao’s opponent for his next outing on October 17. The camp of the reigning 140-lbs champ wants to set a catch weight should he fight Mosley, the WBA 147-lbs king. And being boxing’s top attraction, the Filipino ring icon would not settle for anything less than a 60-40 split on the purse. But it appears Mosley is willing to make concessions to meet Pacquiao. Quoted in a BoxingScene.com report, Mosley said: “I feel I am the best fighter in the world and I am willing to prove it by fighting Manny Pacquiao at a catch weight." He said he’s ready to go down as low as 144-lbs for the Pacman. "My last fight, I made 147 easily and feel that I can go down a little bit further to make a matchup between myself and Manny Pacquiao happen. A few pounds maybe 144 we would have to see what is best for all involved," he said. “I was never a 154lb fighter to begin with. I did those fights just for the matchups. I was a small Junior Middleweight," he added. Apart from weight concessions, Mosley claimed he would be easier to negotiate with – in terms of purse share - unlike the rest of the entries to the Pacquiao derby like Floyd “Money" Mayweather, Jr. "Well, one thing I know is that if they are interested, negotiations for this fight would go a lot smoother than what they would for Mayweather, who would demand the lion's share or do everything he can not to make that fight happen. I know that Manny and (Pacquiao trainer) Freddie Roach both want this fight as they know that I won't run, stink the place out or complain about my hands like Floyd would," he said. Mosley and Mayweather are two of candidates for the Pacman derby along with Pacquiao’s fellow Top Rank fighter, Miguel Cotto, and even old rival Juan Manuel Marquez should he turn the tables on Mayweather in their July 18 encounter. – GMANews.TV