Manny Pacquiao does not regret fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. only once the pair were well past their peak, claims Roy Jones Jr.
Pacquiao announced his retirement this week as had been expected as he prepares for a 2022 run for the Filipino presidency. His last fight in August saw him lose to WBA champion Yordenis Ugas and at 42, he now called time on his career.
Pacquiao lost to Mayweather in May 2015 that was the highest grossing boxing event of all time, and he is the only boxer to claim titles in eight weight classes.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Jones Jr. explained that Pacquiao does not regret having to wait for Mayweather’s willingness to fight.
"It's not his regret," Jones Jr. said.
"Because he wasn't the one who wasn't trying to make it happen. He was trying to make it happen but couldn't until Mayweather agreed to it. It's nothing that he has to regret. He leaves an absolutely marvelous legacy in boxing. He had a whole country and a whole continent behind him. He brought a whole lot to the game. He entertained for a long time. It was a beautiful thing to see.
"It was like one country against the world - that's what he represented. It was a beautiful career, and I'm glad to have experienced it, glad to have known him. He's an awesome person who had a brilliant career. He fought whoever came his way, whoever was close to his weight. He had a heck of a trilogy with a couple of guys. He had a heck of a fight with many Mexican guys. He had really good fights and fought all the names that were available to him at the time."