MANILA, Philippines - World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao announced Wednesday that he wanted to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his last professional fight after launching a political career in the Philippines.
A Pacquiao-Mayweather clash, which US promoter Bob Arum said could take place on November 13 in Texas or Las Vegas, would likely generate one of the biggest purses and television audiences in boxing history.
"Many fans really want me to fight Floyd Mayweather so I asked my Mama if we can give them one more fight, she said okay," Pacquiao said in an interview with broadcaster ABS-CBN.
Pacquiao, 31, is one of the world's highest-paid athletes and fans are clamouring for a clash with former champion Mayweather, 33, to determine who is the greatest welterweight of their generation.
Negotiations for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight fell through earlier this year when the American insisted on Olympic-style random drug testing, which the Filipino rejected as too intrusive before a bout.
Pacquiao secured a landslide win in national elections on Monday for a seat representing the southern province of Sarangani.
US promoter Bob Arum, who flew to Sarangani to watch Pacquiao campaign for Monday's election, told the Manila Standard newspaper he had blocked out November 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"The cable television companies and satellite providers have put the date aside for us, so the table is set," said the flamboyant Top Rank boss.
Pacquiao defeated Ghana's Joshua Clottey to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt in the United States in March, and has now won 12 consecutive fights, eight by knockout.
Last year, Pacquiao was listed by Forbes magazine as the world's sixth highest paid athlete, earning 40 million dollars in the 12 months to June 2009.
He was among dozens of celebrities who ran for positions, ranging from president to town councilor, in national elections across the boxing-mad Philippines, one of Asia's most boisterous democracies.
