Manny Pacquiao said Floyd Mayweather fight should have been postponed: ‘Biggest regret of my career’
Manny Pacquiao insists that fighting Floyd Mayweather with a shoulder injury was the ultimate reason he lost.
Pacquiao and Mayweather did battle in the 'Fight of the Century' in 2015, which became one of boxing's biggest spectacles and most iconic rivalries ever.
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Unfortunately for 'Pac Man' he was beaten by his biggest foe, who produced the goods and cruised to a dominant points victory.
But Pacquiao failed to disclose he was forced to have shoulder surgery after suffering a rotator cuff injury during preparations for the clash.
And the Filipino still regrets continuing with the fight date to this day, suggesting he should have withdrawn from the contest.
“If I could change one thing in my career, I’d have asked to postpone my 2015 fight against Floyd Mayweather after hurting my shoulder in training," he told Business Insider in a 2020 interview.
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Pacquiao did mention the injury in the immediate aftermath of his devastating loss, but Mayweather simply branded the injury as an 'excuse', batting away any suggestions Pacquiao would have won the fight on full fitness.
Pacquiao added on the 2015 clash: "I thought it was going to be okay and that I’d be feeling better without an operation after suffering that injury two weeks before the fight.
“But my shoulder worsened after the third round. Pushing for that important fight to happen as scheduled is my biggest regret.”
It was reported after the event that Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach and promoter Bob Arum themselves knew of the injury and considered calling a halt to the show.
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But the event, which drew in close to $1 billion in total revenue was still a huge commercial success despite the defeat.
Ten years on from his loss against Mayweather, the 46-year-old is gearing up to enter the ring with Mario Barrios on July 19.
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Keith Thurman was the last boxer that he beat, back in 2019, before losing conclusively on points to Yordenis Ugas in his final fight in 2021.
Ugas beat Pacquiao, ultimately sending him into his initial retirement.
Almost four years later, the Filipino announced he is coming out of retirement to take a shot at a world title.
He remains the only man to ever win titles across eight different weight divisions.
Pacquiao's comeback will see him set out to defeat Barrios in order to become WBC welterweight champion at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.