Manny Pacquiao Says Floyd Mayweather Fight Must Happen in 2012 or Never

Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 knockouts) has stated that thanks to his ambition to go even further into politics by running for executive office in his home country of the Philippines in 2013, Pacquiao feels Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 knockouts) must fight him by the end of next year.

Pacquiao told the NY Post, "I want to be an executive in 2013. It’s hard to be an executive and do boxing." Pacquiao is currently a congressman in the Philippines but has been able to balance boxing and political duties so far.

An executive position would increase those duties extensively. On his boxing legacy, Pacquiao had this to say, "I don’t really need that fight. If it happens, good, because it’s what the fans want. But I’m happy with what I’ve done boxing."

On whether Pacquiao believed the fight will actually happen or not, Pacquiao seemed hopeful when speaking to USA Today, "I'm thinking right now that Floyd is preparing for our battle because he's got a southpaw opponent for his next fight. Maybe it will come. I'd give it a possibility."

Pacquiao is speaking of the 24-year-old southpaw Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 knockouts), who Mayweather faces September 17 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand on HBO PPV.

Even Pacquiao's pessimistic trainer Freddie Roach feels the matchup is coming. He told the NY Post:

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"He’s been talking a lot about Manny. Hopefully, he’s trying to sell the fight because I want that fight as badly as everyone else because he’s a challenge and I love a challenge. I’d like to get Mayweather and beat him and call it a [career for Pacquiao]. I don’t think there’s anything else to prove."

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Juan Marquez (53-5-1, 39 knockouts) and Floyd Mayweather would be the final two bouts of Pacquiao's career if Pacquiao sticks to his current retirement plan and growing political career.