Floyd Mayweather defeats Marcos Maidana and says 'Let's make Manny Pacquiao fight happen'

It took just minutes after Floyd Mayweather had scored a dominant win over Marcos Maidana before the undefeated welterweight champion faced the inevitable question. Will Manny Pacquiao be his next opponent?

Still in the ring, still covered in sweat, Mayweather had barely time to catch his breath following a bruising 12-round battle with the hard-hitting Argentine when he was asked about the fight that has fascinated and obsessed the boxing world.

Mayweather's unanimous decision over Maidana, that improved his perfect record to 47-0, immediately renewed speculation about a long-awaited super-fight between the 37-year-old American and the Filipino great.

"I got to go back and talk to my team, I'm not ducking or dodging no opponent," Mayweather said from the ring. "If a Pacquiao fight presents itself, let's make it happen."

A duel between the defence-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao, the biggest drawcards of their generation, has long been savoured by boxing fans, if only to decide the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

Filipino Pacquiao lost some of his appeal after successive defeats to American Timothy Bradley and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, prompting talk of his possible retirement, though he has since bounced back with two impressive wins.

Five-division world champion Mayweather had been expected to meet Pacquiao in 2010 until negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug testing.

Mayweather, who has hinted at illegal methods by often questioning how Pacquiao could have won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight classes, said: "I don't think about Pacquiao, I don't even know him. I wish him the best but that's not my focus. My focus is Floyd Mayweather that is how I got to where I got to.

"I try not to focus on anyone else's business. If it happens it happens. You guys can keep asking the same questions over-and-over and I will give you the same answers.

"That's not my focus. My business model is I am my own boss. I call my own shots."

^{Manny Pacquiao: Floyd Mayweather in the US and Amir Khan in the UK would be great 2015}

Mayweather announced last week that he will retire in 2015 when his Showtime contract ends in two more fights.

His next fight is expected to come in May but Mayweather said no date has been set and would consider a number of opponents, including Pacquiao.

"We don't know what the future holds for Floyd Mayweather," said the champion. "What's realistic is I am 47-0. As of right now I want to enjoy my time off. We don't know who we going to be fighting.

"We're not in a rush. We take our time that's how we got to where we got to. We're not sure what the game plan is."

Mayweather also scoffed at claims he is showing signs of aging, saying he's kept his perfect record intact because of his ability to make mid-fight adjustments.

"I can't say what aging feels like. I feel like the winner," said Mayweather, who turns 38 in February. "I can make adjustments instantly and that is one of the pluses on my side."

Mayweather is trained by his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr, but said he ignored his dad's advice and instead decided to play it safe in the final round of the rematch against Maidana.

Before the 11th round, Mayweather's father told him to stay out of trouble and save energy in the 11th then come out firing in the 12th to make a good impression on the judges.

"My dad was like in the 12th 'I want you to be sharp. Exchange with him and make it look good'," Maywheather said.

"I decided to do it the other way. I wanted to box in the 11th and move in the 12th.

"I had a brilliant game plan, even in 12th round. If I knew I had the fight in the bag, why would I try to go out there and fight toe-to-toe? I would mess my legacy up. Why would I mess my legacy up?"

Mayweather was frustrated during the fight by what he labeled dirty tactics by Maidana. He said Maidana bit him on the hand in the eighth round.

Maidana denies the charge, saying that Mayweather intentionally poked him in the eye.

"We clinched and we came together. My hand was under him and he bit my three fingers. My middle finger busted open through the glove when he bit me," said Mayweather. "I think he needs to move over to MMA. It is extremely dirty."