Manny Pacquiao says he remains "open" to a May 2 date with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is willing to fight on American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s preferred fight date even as his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, continues to object.

Mayweather last year said he wants to fight Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, and the "Pacman" on Monday said it was not an issue for him.

"Siyempre kung gusto niya… gusto niya May 2," Pacquiao said.

Asked if he is fine with "whatever date" Mayweather wants, the Filipino champ said: "Walang problema."

"Importante lang, kailangan muna matuloy," stressed Pacquiao, adding that he has no idea of where the venue for the bout will be as well.

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, also has no problem with holding the fight on May 2.

"I am. It needs to happen for both guys. I think we waited long enough," said Roach in a recent interview.

Arum had raised a ruckus when Mayweather set May 2 as the fight date, insisting that it was "disrespectful" for Mexican and Mexican-Americans as it was the weekend of Cinco de Mayo.

"To poach that date… shows a terrible disrespect for the Meixcan people, both those living in Mexico and those living in the United States," the Top Rank boss said at the time.

"And anybody who does the poaching ought to be ashamed of themselves. That goes for hotels and that goes for fighters, and that goes for any of us. I'm willing to make that statement," he said.

Arum said it will be better if the fight is held in April or June, but Mayweather saw the Top Rank's boss's statement as simply another excuse.

"I don't know, Bob Arum is trying to throw another excuse out there, talking about how they don't want to fight on May 2nd," Mayweather said during the World Boxing Convention in Las Vegas recently. "Why not? Let's make the fight happen."

Pacquiao and Mayweather have spent the past few weeks trading barbs on social media, with the "Pacman" sending the American champion tweets even during New Year's Eve.

What makes Pacquiao optimistic is that Mayweather at least now seems willing to sit down and negotiate with him.

"Maganda ngayon kasi nakikipag-usap," he said. "Dati wala eh."

Meanwhile, Pacquiao supervised the practice of the KIA Sorento on Monday as they start preparations for the upcoming PBA Commissioner's Cup.

The "Pacman" will also travel to the United States next week to promote his documentary film "Manny." He has also been invited to be a judge in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Miami. -- From a report by Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Source:  www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/01/05/15/pacquiao-open-floyds-may-2-fight-date