Manny Pacquiao Chasing Floyd Mayweather Jr. Because Of Money But Says Undefeated American Is Afraid Of Filipino - Analysts

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao word war has been going on for months despite the pair having no scheduled match soon or in 2015 but it’s not stopping the boxing world— particularly fight analysts— from speculating what is going on behind the scenes and the hidden motives from each camp.

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In a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, sports analyst Stephen A. Smith claimed that Manny Pacquiao just wants the Floyd Mayweather Jr. super fight because of money. However, both Smith and co-host Skip Bayless also stated that they want the Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao fight to happen.

“I do believe that Floyd [Mayweather Jr.] is right. When Floyd says Manny Pacquiao just wants the money. Manny Pacquiao was trying to position himself to get a big pay day.” Smith said in his sports show with another controversial sports analyst in Bayless and the host, Cari Champion.

“He knows that Floyd is the one to deliver that to him if Floyd agrees to fight him. And Manny Pacquiao is just trying to pile on and in this particular instance, used me to do it. in order to get Floyd on the ring. i do believe that that is the case.”

Smith was reacting to one of Pacquiao’s recent tweets where the Filipino pugilist tagged Smith’s Twitter account in calling out rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao tweeted with the link of Smith calling out Mayweather Jr. to take up the fight against the Filipino.

Last I checked Freedom of Speech was still part of the U.S. Bill of Rights. Bravo @stephenasmith & @RealSkipBayless . http://t.co/G2t5B19VI8

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) October 14, 2014

However, in that same segment, Smith also admitted that Pacquiao is correct in trying to egg Mayweather Jr. to take him inside the squared ring.

“However, despite the fact, let me also say that Manny Pacquiao is not wrong it doing it. He should do all means necessary to get Floyd in the ring because he should want a big payday because he earned it. And i have no doubt that he wants Floyd too. Let’s make this clear, he does want Floyd and i am not trying to imply that he does not,” Smith said.

Moreover, Smith continued his rant against Mayweather Jr. even saying that he’ll encourage fight fans to boycott Mayweather Jr.’s next fight and pay-per-view (PPV) if it comes against what he deemed as lesser challengers in Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez or Amir Khan.

“I said what I said and I mean what I mean. Floyd Mayweather, feel free to cuss me out anytime you want. I will not let up. Manny Pacquiao is the fight we want to see,” Smith finished with vigour.

For his part, Bayless agreed with Smith in trying to make the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight to happen and that any Mayweather vs. Cotto, Alvarez or Khan fight will do a disservice for the millions of boxing fans that want the super fight between the Filipino and American, who are considered two of the top pound-for-pound boxers in their generation.

“We love what you are doing. Taunt this man. Dare this man, into fighting you. Because he continues to run from you.” Bayless declared. “Floyd is afraid of Manny, Manny is not afraid of Floyd.”

Recently, Mayweather Jr. had a few choice words for Smith, who was previously known as a Mayweather Jr. apologist. There are also unconfirmed reports that the bosses from Showtime/CBS-- carrying Mayweather Jr.s' PPV's has had internal discussions with bigwigs from HBO Boxing-- owner of Pacquiao's fight rights-- about the probable super fight in 2015.

The Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao fight has been hotly discussed for years now, until perhaps both or one retires from the sport, boxing analysts will continue to pick the brains of both fighters. Pacquiao will be facing another undefeated American in Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 in Macau while Floyd Mayweather Jr. has yet to decide or announce his next fight.