Pacquiao calls out Floyd Jr: Let's get it on

Just look who’s calling out Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a potential mega-bout three months from now. Yes, it’s Manny Pacquiao. The world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, in a very rare instance, has challenged his unbeaten rival to face him in the ring on Nov. 13, validating the need to make happen the face-off the world definitely wants to see. “If Mayweather is not really a coward, he needs to prove himself in the ring. I gave in more than what is necessary and I accepted some of the requests that Mayweather asked for just to have this fight to go through," Pacquiao said in his weekly blog that came out in a popular boxing website. “I am the champion, I have the belts and I should not be the one challenging you. I should not even be the one trying to make this fight happen," said the 31-year old fighting congressman from Sarangani. “But Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is what everyone wants, that’s why I am calling out your name. My promoter, Bob Arum, will be waiting for your call and will be very glad to hear what you have to say. The sooner, the better." The 31-year old Filipino hurled the bold challenge amidst recent developments that saw Floyd Jr. possibly leaning on tapping controversial boxing figure Don King to be his promoter. Two previous high-profiled negotiations on a probable Pacquiao-Mayweather slugfest broke down after the two sides failed to agree on certain terms. The last of those series of talks came to an end three weeks ago when the Mayweather camp hardly bothered to answer the deadline set by Top Rank big boss Bob Arum whether he’s willing to fight Pacquiao or not. The 78-year old Arum, who owns the promotional rights on Pacquiao, said an agreement has already been reached by the two parties, including the issues surrounding the terms of purse sharing and random drug testing as negotiated by him and Mayweather’s adviser Leonard Ellerby through HBO president for sports Ross Greenburg, who acted as middle man. But Mayweather didn’t respond to the July 17 deadline set by Arum. And to make matters worse, Floyd Jr’s manager, Al Haymon and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who represented Mayweather, denied that no negotiations happened, prompting Arum to look somewhere else and consider other fight options. Arum found one in Mexican Antonio Margarito, also fighting under Top Rank, although no contract has yet been signed as to where the site for the 12-round bout will be held. “For now, Antonio Margarito of Mexico is the likely replacement of Mayweather in Nov. 13, but for me, there is nothing more beautiful news if the Mayweather camp will change its mind. And I am sure, boxing fans or any other sports fans will follow this very closely," Pacquiao added. The Filipino ring icon stressed anything can still happen between now until Nov. 13, including a possible team-up between King and Floyd Jr. “I hope Mayweather is serious enough in doing business with Don King and is not doing this only to save face. I hope Don King does the same in return, that he can make miracles happen," said Pacquiao. “I say this to both these men: Let's Get It On. Fight like warriors and brave men." - RCJ, GMANews.TV