Floyd Mayweather Jr. not expecting to fight Manny Pacquiao next

LAS VEGAS -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. told The Times he is not among those who believe the long-awaited showdown against Manny Pacquiao is likely to happen in the fall.

“No, I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Mayweather said of a Pacquiao fight. “It’s because of [Pacquiao promoter] Bob Arum. It’s not my fault.”

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, and even Mayweather’s uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, have speculated recently that Mayweather and Pacquiao will fight in November, should Mayweather defeat Miguel Cotto (May 5) and Pacquiao defeat Timothy Bradley (June 9).

“There’s nowhere else for them to go,” Roach has said.

Roger Mayweather said Tuesday amid such talk that he promotes the idea of “making the Pacquiao fight next” because his nephew looks incredibly sharp in training on the heels of a victory over Victor Ortiz in September.

“This is the best I’ve seen him since the Diego Corrales fight,” Roger Mayweather said. “He hasn’t been laid off at all, he’s come back tight, sharper.”

Of making the Pacquiao fight, Roger Mayweather said, “Why wouldn’t you? There ain’t no way that guy [Pacquiao] lasts five rounds against my nephew.”

Talks this year to stage Mayweather-Pacquiao unraveled with Mayweather promising Pacquiao no more than a $40-million guarantee, unacceptable to the Filipino superstar’s camp who want an even split of revenues and believe the fight can generate about $150 million in profit for the fighters to share.

If Mayweather defeats Cotto, his most likely next opponent i not Pacquiao could be Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who will defend his super-welterweight title on the Mayweather undercard against Pomona’s Shane Mosley.

Asked Tuesday if he believes beating Mosley will get him the Mayweather fight, Alvarez said, “Yes, better days are ahead of me by winning this fight.

“I’m ready for the challenge.”

Alvarez said he’s received no guarantee that such a scenario will play out, but it is helpful that Golden Boy Promotions assists in Mayweather fight promotions and promotes Alvarez’s career, as well. Additionally, Mayweather is aware while receiving a lucrative Mexican television rights deal for this bout due to Alvarez’s involvement that the young star has massive popularity among the sport’s strongest audience.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” Alvarez said. “I want Mayweather and will do my best in this [Mosley] fight to prove I’m worthy.”

Said Mayweather: “All I can do is continue to fight. Fighters are chasing me.”

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. not expecting to fight Manny Pacquiao next