13 Jan 2012

Pacquiao accepts Mayweather's challenge for showdown

10:10 am on 13 January 2012

The Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao has accepted US rival Floyd Mayweather's challenge for a showdown of the world's top pound-for-pound boxers, though sticking points to the mega fight remain.

This week the unbeaten Mayweather dared Pacquiao on Twitter to "Step up Punk", attempting to entice Pacquiao into a May 5 bout in Las Vegas.

Mayweather and Pacquiao previously had a fight derailed by the US fighter's demands about blood testing, with both boxers accusing the other of running scared.

Pacquiao, 54-3 with two draws and 38 knockouts, says if Mayweather, 42-0 with 26 knockouts, can find a promoter who would give him a guaranteed purse, the fight would be on.