MANNY PACQUIAO hit back at Floyd Mayweather by saying he is fighting the best and not ‘non-boxers just to get paid’.
Mayweather returned to the ring at the start of June for an exhibition bout with YouTuber Logan Paul.
Beforehand, he took aim at Pacquiao, who he beat in 2015, with the Filipino legend showing no signs of slowing down aged 42.
Mayweather, 44, said: “When I come and do an exhibition or come out and box and have some fun, I do it because I want to do it, not because I have to do it.
“Whereas Pacquiao at his age, it’s sad that he has to fight. I’m financially set and I want to let everybody know this.”
Pacquiao is set to fight unbeaten unified WBC and IBF champion Errol Spence Jr, 30, on August 21.
The legendary eight-division ruler took the chance to take a response swipe at Mayweather, who was taken the distance by Paul, 26, in Miami.
Pacquiao said on on the Power & Play show: “I’m not like some other guys who are in it just for the money.
“Some other fighters challenge non-boxers just to get paid. I want to fight. I want to challenge the best.
“If I’m fighting for the money, then I would have picked some scrub to fight.
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“Why would I try to fight an undefeated fighter if I’m chasing the paycheck? This is a real fight. I fight because this is my passion.
“I love beating undefeated fighters and bringing honour to my country.”
PacMan has not fought since July 2019 when he beat Keith Thurman, 32, to win the WBA belt.
He has since been stripped of the title due to inactivity, but ended 2019 with earnings of close to £18.8m, adding to his estimated £165m net worth.
Mayweather officially retired in 2017 as a professional after beating UFC star Conor McGregor, 32, in ten rounds.
He topped Forbes rich list of the decade two years ago with £706m earned.
Mayweather and Pacquiao sold a record 4.6m pay-per-views, which still stands as the most lucrative fight of all time.
PacMan, who claimed he fought with a torn rotator cuff, has lobbied for a rematch since the convincing points loss.
But Mayweather has denied any prospect of another fight with his long-time rival and recently ruled out ever lacing up the gloves again.
After his PPV spectacle with Paul, he admitted: “As far as me coming back in the sport of boxing, absolutely not.
“As far as me doing an exhibition again probably not.”
