Mayweather hits out at lack of American support -- ESPN

ESPN.co.uk

Floyd Mayweather Jnr has suggested that he is currently unwilling to fight Manny Pacquiao because he feels it would be a no-win situation for him.

The American, widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest ever boxers, has long been linked with a super-fight against Pacquiao - who is also a champion at multiple weight classes.

But negotiations for a bout have yet to reach fruition, as both sides have increasingly angered the other with demands ranging from the money involved to the drugs testing required.

And, in a candid interview with Fighthype.com, Mayweather hinted that he feels he lacks support from the American public, who are keen to criticise him in any way they can. As a result, he feels he would stand to lose everything - most notably his unbeaten record - and win nothing were he to step into the ring with Pacquiao, even if he won.

"I like the Filipino people. The reason why I like the Filipino people is because the Filipinos, they're going to stand behind him [Pacquiao] win, lose or draw. They're going to stand behind him," Mayweather said.

"If the fight ever does happen, once I beat him - as far as with the media, there's going to be a lot of excuses; there's always excuses - but his people will still love him unconditionally.

"The black American race, we don't have that."

The 34-year-old, whose last fight came over a year ago against Shane Mosley, believes he has been unfairly criticised by those who should be his biggest supporters - contrasting his own treatment with that of other sportsmen, including baseball star Barry Bonds, who admitted to steroid abuse during his record-setting career.

Mayweather is also keen to preserve his long-term health.

"They say Floyd Mayweather is scared of Manny Pacquiao, but I think my country - and even [television channel] HBO, who I stayed loyal to - should stand up and say 'Hey, you're not giving Barry Bonds a hard time for anything'," he said.

"My health, my well-being and my mind is more important than money. I'm not 21 any more. I'm older, I'm wiser. It's very important for me to spend time with my children."

One place Mayweather could end up meeting Pacquiao, however, is in the courts - as the Filipino sues his potential opponent for defamation over various drug-related claims he made while the pair were in serious negotiations over a contest.

"Not once did I say Manny was taking something," Mayweather said. "Then we tell them we got to take the [drugs] tests, and suddenly, he's suing us!

"But it is what it is. We're going to go to court and fight whatever we have to fight."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd

Source: espn.co.uk