The winner of Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao 2 has been called out by a former world champion who, despite operating in the same era, was never presented with an opportunity to face either man.
Instead, the two pound-for-pound stars collided with each other in 2015, headlining a monumental show that is still considered the most lucrative boxing event of all time.
The fight itself, however, failed to live up to fans’ expectations, with Mayweather claiming a unanimous decision victory following 12 uneventful rounds.
Many believe this was because their blockbuster battle had arrived several years too late, with Pacquiao no longer possessing the same ferocious speed and power.
A largely mixed reaction has therefore emerged in response to their rematch, which will take place at the Sphere, Las Vegas, on September 19.
Mayweather’s last professional outing came via a 10th-round finish over Conor McGregor in 2017, but the American has since been involved in a number of exhibition matches.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, has fought professionally as recently as last July, when he boxed to a draw against then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, meanwhile, Paulie Malignaggi expressed his desire to face the winner, despite his last professional assignment ending in an eighth-round stoppage defeat to Sam Eggington in 2017.
“I’d love a chance at fighting the winner. I’ve been active – I’ve been fighting in [Bare Knuckle Boxing].
“I think if I win this BKB title on May 16… I would put myself in a good position to possibly get an attractive gloved [boxing] offer.
“I was in their [Mayweather and Pacquiao’s] generation, [but] I didn’t get to fight [either] of them. I don’t know that they’d want to fight any of the younger guys.
“You’d probably want to stay in that older-guy lane. That’s when I come into play, but we’ll see.”
Malignaggi made two defences of his IBF world super-lightweight title between 2007 and 2008, before suffering an 11th-round stoppage defeat to Ricky Hatton.
He has since joined the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, losing to Artem Lobov in 2019 but beating Tyler Goodjohn last year to set up the title shot mentioned, against Rolando Dy on May 16 in Manchester.