Boxing News: Mayweather Calls Pacquiao a 'Coward', Makes U-Turn on Potential Rematch

Floyd Mayweather put up a masterclass against Manny Pacquiao on 2 May at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, to win his 48^th bout. The American himself suggested he is open to fighting the Filipino once again, but the boxer now claims he has changed his mind.

Mayweather even called Pacquiao a coward and a sore loser for the manner in which he took his defeat.

The boxer revealed this in an interview with Jim Gray, which is yet to be aired. "Did I text [ESPN's] Stephen A Smith and say I will fight him again?" Mayweather said when asked about a potential rematch.

"Yeah, but I change my mind. At this particular time, no, because he's a sore loser and he's a coward. ... If you lost, accept the loss and say, 'Mayweather, you were the better fighter.'"

After Pacquiao suffered the loss to the American, the boxer said a shoulder injury was the major reason behind the defeat. But, "Money" considers such statements to be mere excuses, as a result of which Mayweather has lost respect for his illustrious opponent.

"Excuses, excuses, excuses," Mayweather said. "I'm not going to buy into the bull**** and I don't want the public to buy into the bull****. He lost. He knows he lost. I lost a lot of respect for him after all of this."

But to be fair, it is clear the Filipino was suffering from a shoulder injury, which was kept under wraps. He was taking anti-inflammatory shots during training camp, which was approved by the USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) as well.

The boxer is set to be out of action for the next 9-12 months after he underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.

With Mayweather ruling out another fight with Pacquiao, one wonders who his final opponent will be. The American has stated he will fight in September before deciding to hang his gloves for good.

As of now, British boxer Amir Khan, who has shown a lot of interest to fight Mayweather, is one of the favourites to take on the American.