MANILA, Philippines – Former world champion Manny Pacquiao still believes he was the rightful winner of the "Fight of the Century" against Floyd Mayweather and wants a rematch against the unbeaten American in 2016.
Pacquiao lost via unanimous decision when he fought Mayweather last May 2 in a showdown that failed to live up to the enormous hype. He later claimed that he fought despite suffering an injury to his right shoulder during training but still believes he did enough to win.
Three months later, he remains convinced of his victory, tellingFight News: "He was running away all the time."
"I was making the fight by stalking him and believe that I deserved a victory," added Pacquiao, who was interviewed on the sidelines of the FIBA Host Announcement Ceremony in Tokyo last Thursday.
Pacquiao added that his injury was no longer a problem and is now pushing for a rematch.
"I'd like to concentrate my efforts on working as a politician this year," said Pacquiao, the representative of Sarangani, "And want to fight Mayweather in a rematch."
"I'll be ready for that, mentally and physically, next year. I'll show a better performance against him than in the first encounter," he promised.
Pacquiao was rebuked by Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum for his failure to return to Los Angeles for a scheduled check-up with the doctor who performed surgery on his shoulder five days after the Mayweather fight, but the "Pacman" took the criticism in stride.
He is expected to be out for the rest of the year as he recovers from the injury.
Mayweather, for his part, will return to the ring on September 12 against Andre Berto in a fight that has been widely panned.
Pacquiao, however, believes the unheralded Berto will be up for the challenge.
"It will be a good fight as Andre Berto is fast and strong," Pacquiao said.
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