Following his victory over Chris Algeri earlier this month, Pacquiao publicly called out Pacquiao for a fight.
Smith claimed Mayweather is not afraid of fighting Pacquiao, but he said there were other reasons why the two have never met each other in the ring.
“I had somebody that’s connected to Floyd Mayweather’s people tell me that Floyd offered Bob Arum ten million dollars to essentially step out of the way,” he said, via FightSaga.
Arum, the longtime boxing promoter, represents Pacquiao. His camp is said to be at odds with Pacquiao’s camp.
Smith said, “So clearly this is about Arum and not about Manny Pacquiao.”
“If Floyd was scared, he wouldn’t be doing such things. I don’t believe that he’s scared by any stretch of the imagination. But I do believe the pressure is mounting for Mayweather,” Smith continued.
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| WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao celebrates after defeating WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri of the U.S. during their welterweight title boxing match at the Venetian Macao in Macau, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
He added: “It’s gotten to the point where his unblemished, undefeated, sure fire, Hall of Fame credentials mean absolutely nothing to us at this moment in time. We want Floyd Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao.”
“Anytime you hear someone talk about Floyd Mayweather now, they keep talking about the fight, the fight, the fight. What they keep reminding him in my opinion, is what boxing is really all about. Ali would have never been Ali if he had never fought Frazier, or Norton, or Foreman. There are losses in all of the greats’ resumes. But there’s something to be said about stepping in the ring and facing the fighters that people want to see you up against.”
Smith then predicted a 2015 bout between Mayweather and Pacquiao, saying that Mayweather will be victorious should the two fight.
“I believe Floyd Mayweather will sign to fight Manny Pacquiao, and I believe it will happen before June of 2015, and I believe Floyd Mayweather will take him out,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Mayweather on Wednesday took shots at Pacquiao on Instagram.
He posted Pacquiao’s last fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, showing him getting knocked down several times.
In the background, Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” can be heard playing.
He also described Pacquiao as “desperate” and “broke,” and in need of a fight.
Pacquiao on Friday responded to the shot. “He should fight me now, since I can be ‘easily’ put to sleep!” Pacquiao sarcastically said in Filipino. “He posted a video of me when I lost to Marquez, so this means he thinks I’m easy to knock out. So come on, let’s fight!”
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