Audio By Carbonatix
Manny Pacquiao believes a fight against bitter rival Floyd Mayweather Jr will happen later this year.
Plans for the pair to meet fizzled out last week after a row over Mayweather's demands for random blood and urine sampling in the build-up to their bout.
World welterweight champion Pacquiao will fight Ghana's Joshua Clottey in Dallas in March instead of Mayweather.
But he said: "It will happen. I'm still hoping a fight with Mayweather will be pushed through, maybe by summer time."
The Filipino said Mayweather's drug-testing demands unfairly cast him in a bad light as a suspected cheat.
He added: "I want to clear my name because I'm a very honest person. I'm very disappointed for what he accused me of. I'm clean. I'm not cheating. I'm a very honest fighter."
His trainer, Freddie Roach, is also optimistic the fight will go ahead.
"I think it's going to happen," he said. "Maybe Mayweather is up to doing this to get more press, I don't know."
Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum said on Sunday that he also believed a fight at some point against Mayweather had not been totally ruled out.
"There's always later in the year and next year, it's up to Mayweather," stated the Top Rank impresario.
"But if he starts this nonsense again with testing or anything then let him take a walk.
"We are not going to get into a debate with him ever again on stuff that we know nothing about and that only regulators really can understand.
"We have commissions who regulate this sport. If [Mayweather Jr] wants any special testing he should address it to the commission that will have jurisdiction over the fight."
It was confirmed on Sunday that Pacquiao's will defend his WBO welterweight belt against Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on 13 March.
Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels said the state-of-the-art arena will be configured to seat 50,000 fans for the fight, but the capacity could be raised or lowered.
Arum insisted that Clottey, who beat Zab Judah for the IBF welterweight title in August 2008, will be a tough opponent for Philippines star Pacquiao.
"He's a real strong, aggressive and hard punching African and he poses a real test for Manny," he said.
Clottey, 32, lost a split decision to Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto last June. He has a 35-3-0 record, with 20 wins by knockouts.
Pacquiao stopped Cotto in Las Vegas in November to become a five-weight, five-time world champion.
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
US Court backs extradiction of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu’s to Ghana
16 minutes -
Seven arrested as NAIMOS dismantles illegal mining camp, seizes firearms at Boin River
18 minutes -
Fire erupts at Madina Ritz Junction, destroys multiple wooden structures and containers
32 minutes -
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh returns from long-term injury, registers assist for Freiburg U23
45 minutes -
Knifeman calling himself ‘Lucifer’ slashes three at NYC’s Grand Central
1 hour -
Brands are built from within to without Â
1 hour -
Matriculants urged to pursue excellence as gov’t reaffirms support for Maritime education
1 hour -
See the areas that will be affected by ECG’s planned maintenance on Monday, April 13, 2026
1 hour -
GPL 2025/26: Salim Adams double fires Medeama back to summit after Kotoko rout
1 hour -
Two robbery suspects convicted following violent gold dealer attack in Obuasi
1 hour -
Supreme Court @150: Fanfare meets reflection as nationwide activities roll out
1 hour -
Padel for Parkinson’s cycling event promotes awareness at University of Ghana
2 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Samuel Tetteh brace fires Nations FC past Basake Holy Stars
2 hours -
Ghana’s oil trade position close to net neutral in near term – Fitch
2 hours -
IMANI Africa President urges greater awareness and support for Parkinson’s Disease patients
2 hours