Floyd Mayweather has claimed rival Manny Pacquiao was "retired by boxing" after defeat to Yordenis Ugas saw him hang up the gloves.
Mayweather has been fighting in exhibitions since his retirement in 2017, a career which saw him go through 50 consecutive victories without tasting defeat. During his time in the professional ranks, he touched gloves with Pacquiao in a bumper showdown that became the highest-selling event in pay-per-view history.
The Filipino continued fighting afterwards but retired last year after losing in spectacular fashion to Ugas in his welterweight world title clash. And Mayweather believes he was able to spot the right time to halt his appearances in competitive fights, and make a switch to the exhibition circuit.
"I retired from the sport and I didn't let the sport retire me," Mayweather said during the press conference after his victory over Mikuru Asakura this weekend.
"I'm always going to put myself in a position now, just like what I was doing at the highest level, where I am dictating and am in control. I am not going to get in there with no former fighters or former world champions and putting any more abuse on my body. I am retired for a reason and I am here to have fun and enjoy myself sometimes, with guys that help me entertain the people but don't take any punishment to the point I can barely walk or talk.
"Manny had a great career but boxing retired Manny. If I was Manny Pacquiao would I be chasing Floyd Mayweather for an exhibition to get another payday? Yes I would. But at this time I am enjoying fighting guys that are 15-0 or 18-0 or YouTubers or MMA guys, and I am going to continue to do what I want to do and I want to dictate things with my career once it is over."
Pacquiao was in a bad way after the Ugas defeat and was even seen being spoon-fed by his wife as he coped with the significant swelling after the fight. But the 43-year-old is not done yet and is looking to follow in the footsteps of his long-term foe and compete in boxing showcases.
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Mayweather has fought four times in exhibitions including against YouTube star Logan Paul and former sparring partner Don Moore. His counterpart will take on YouTuber DK Yoo later this year in his maiden exhibition appearance but is eyeing another meeting with Mayweather long-term.
And the American has vowed he will have his "a** kicked" if the pair do meet again. "There's no blueprint on how to beat Floyd Mayweather, he can tell you that himself," he said. "He's a Hall of Famer, but no-one has the blueprint on how to beat Floyd Mayweather. Don't let them trick you into getting your ass whooped again."
