The record-breaking Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight May 2 may have brought in even more pay-per-view money than previously believed, according to Mayweather himself . With more than four million pay-per-view buys already confirmed, the fight shattered previous records and is expected to gross about $500 million.
But not all of the numbers are in, Mayweather said in an interview Saturday.
“All of the full stats have not come in yet. As of right now we are somewhere over 4 and a half million,” Mayweather told the popular radio personality DJ Whoo Kid in a call-in. “I think that when it’s all said and done we should be at 5.2 million. And then also with the overseas and everything, and merchandise, I think we have a possibility of reaching $700 million.”
In the interview, Mayweather also ruled out a rematch with Pacquiao — despite citing his offense at remarks made by his opponent after the fight. Pacquiao claimed that he suffered from a shoulder injury during the fight, and also blamed Mayweather for refusing to engage in a slugfest.
“I done what I had to do, so, you know, Pacquiao, I wish you nothing but the best. Keep up the good work,” Mayweather said.
He earlier characterized Pacquiao’s comments as “excuses” and deemed Pacquiao “a sore loser.”
Pacquiao, for his part, is looking at retirement, according to his spokesperson and longtime personal advisor, Michael Koncz.
“Frankly I don’t know if we’d ever fight again,” Koncz told the Philippines media.
Pacquiao shot back at Mayweather, blaming him again for creating what was a dull and frustrating fight, at least from the point of view of Pacquiao’s camp and his fans.
“Let’s not fan the fire that he’s saying I’m a coward. The one who ran is the coward,” said Pacquiao.
But Mayweather told the radio interviewer that he warned fans as long as six years ago that a fight with Pacquiao would be an uneventful affair, thanks to Mayweather’s own skill at neutralizing his opponents — a skill that was on full display in the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight.
“I posted a video six years ago of what I said, that when I beat Pacquiao people would say it was boring,” Mayweather said. “It’s not my fault that I was able to alleviate anything he was trying to do. Whatever your best attribute is, I take it away from you and disarm you, and that’s what I did.”
With Pacquiao out of the way, Mayweather now says he will fight only one more time, on September 12, against an opponent yet to be selected.
[Image: Al Bello/Getty Images]