Manny Pacquiao accused of collapsing world title fight talks before Floyd Mayweather rematch
Rolly Romero has claimed Manny Pacquiao’s unreasonable demands saw their potential world title fight collapse.
Pacquiao has made a full professional comeback to the boxing ring at the age of 47, and was unfortunate not to be world champion in a controversial draw with Mario Barrios last year.
As a result, he was looking to land a renewed title shot instead with current WBA 147lbs title holder Romero, and talks rumbled on for several months but collapsed.
One of many obstacles to the bout was understood to be Romero’s mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov, who is waiting in the wings to challenge the American.
But the champion has instead placed blame on Pacquiao, citing unreasonable demands as the reason he has now moved on to a lucrative rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
He explained: “[Pacquiao] wanted more money because he can’t sell anymore.
“You can say whatever you want, but the thing is it was weird with Manny because they were super adamant about making the fight but they never wanted to do it.
“We tried and tried and tried but they still didn’t want to do it.
“But then they use my name and likeness over and over ‘we’re going to fight Rolly’ and me, honestly, I didn’t care for the fight.
“They all play big tough guy until it’s time to put a pen to the paper. “Pacquiao wasted my time.”
Pacquiao was lured much more by the possibility of a meeting with former rival Mayweather, where the pair could earn purses close to $100 million each.
The blockbuster event will take place at Las Vegas’ Sphere on September 19.
Does Pacquiao have a chance of beating Mayweather?
Mayweather won their famous first meeting back in 2015, putting on a boxing clinic to tame the gifted Filipino.
But Pacquiao has looked in brilliant shape, particularly when he returned in his professional clash with Barrios, and will fancy his chances.
‘Money’ has been limited to just a handful of exhibitions since his original retirement after beating Conor McGregor in 2017.
But he has remained in shape in the gym, and is gunning for another victory over Pacquiao after deciding to risk his perfect 50-0 record.
Romero expects Mayweather will inflict the same outcome on Pacquiao.
He added: “Floyd wins. And whatever happens, happens. It’s meant to be. Whoever God wants to win is going to win.
“But what would be the difference [to] the first fight? Was there really anything different that Pacquiao could have [done]?”
