Mayweather says he’ll fight Pacquiao again in a year

LAS VEGAS, USA – Despite talks of an impending retirement, Floyd Mayweather Jr says he is leaving the door open to a rematch with Manny Pacquiao. But it’ll take a while to happen. 

Pacquiao is set to have surgery on a torn right rotator cuff that he sustained in a sparring session less than a month before the fight. Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz tells Rappler that Pacquiao would be sidelined for four to six months, but orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache told ESPN that the injury would take closer to 9-12 months to heal.

Mayweather said after his unanimous decision win over Pacquiao this past Saturday that he would retire in September after his six-fight deal with Showtime elapsed; but he also said he wasn’t perfect and that he contradicts himself at times.

“I will fight him in a year after his surgery,” Mayweather told ESPN host Stephen A. Smith in a text message, which was published.

Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 knockouts) would likely have to clear up his issues with the Nevada Athletic Commission first, as he faces a potential fine and/or suspension after failing to disclose his shoulder injury on a medical questionnaire before the weigh-in.

Pacquiao said he was “disappointed” with the commission over their refusal to allow him to inject the anti-inflammatory Toradol into his shoulder, which would numb the pain for up to six hours and allow him to throw effective punches with the arm.

(READ: Manny Pacquiao: ‘We were sabotaged’)

A joint statement from Pacquiao’s promoter Top Rank and Team Pacquiao said that they had informed the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which oversaw third party performance enhancing drug testing for the bout, of the injury and were assured the medications would not violate the USADA agreement.

(READ: Pacquiao didn’t ask for shoulder injections – commission)

The commission released an image of the document presented to them, and which was filled out and signed by Koncz, as well as Pacquiao. – Rappler.com