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Pacquiao Closes In On Mayweather Fight

Pacquiao Set For Return

Manny Pacquiao has moved a step closer to a unification fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr next year, before facing Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night.

Pacquiao faces the veteran Mexican for the fourth time in 12 years in Las Vegas, although is already looking ahead to a potential fight with Mayweather Jr next year.

The Filipino has said that he has already opened negotiations with the unbeaten light-middleweight, with Pacquaio offering to take a smaller split of the fight revenue to try and make it happen.

Pacquiao said: “I want that fight because that’s what the boxing fans want to see and I’m just waiting. It’s up to him if he wants to fight.”

The 12-round non-title fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino on Saturday gives Pacquiao the chance to beat Marquez for a fourth time and end the rivalry between the two that has lasted over a decade.

Marquez claims to have won all of the previous three meetings between the boxers, although two were awarded on points to Pacquiao and the other ended in a draw.

“I think this is the last fight with him,” Pacquiao added. “He always claims he won the fights. So he needs to prove something.”