Manny Pacquiao made new rematch offer by former rival who he dropped in dominant win despite concerns over return
Manny Pacquiao has been called out by former rival Shane Mosley after he made his return in an exhibition.
Pacquiao has considered a full return to the ring for several months, but was urged to remain retired after struggling in a recent unofficial bout with Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo.
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53-year-old Mosley, who was dominated and beaten by 'Pac Man' in May 2011, returned over the weekend with a decision win over Bob Kofroth.
And after the fight he listed Pacquiao as his main option, while also calling out Oscar De La Hoya.
He told Fight Hub: “Pacquiao. I want to fight Pacquiao, man. That would be a great fight.
“I would fight Oscar [De La Hoya] but Oscar don’t wanna fight, he be talking all this mess but he doesn’t want to fight.
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"I don’t understand it. He should keep my name out of his mouth. I wasn’t even talking about him; he came up and started talking about me.
"He’s just jealous because I beat him two times. But we might as well do it a third time, with him talking all this mess. He doesn’t want that smoke, though.
"He really doesn’t. But hopefully Manny does."
Mosley of course looked far from his heyday, but showed glimpses of his fast hands during his five-round clash.
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Fans were naturally concerned, but any new comeback in another exhibition would be a safer option than a pro return.
Pacquiao attracted far more concern in his latest fight where he took on his tallest ever opponent in Anpo.
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The event was not scored, to his fortune, as he found it a real struggle against the fired up Japanese star who had limited experience.
It was a bad look for the 45-year-old who had previously been touted to become the oldest world champion in the sport this year.
His opportunity to fight for a world title now looks off anyway with Mario Barrios matched up against Abel Ramos on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson.
Pacquiao took Mosley apart and dropped him in their original meeting in 2011, but it is unclear if he would be backed to do the same again.
Promoter Ben Shalom insisted he understands why Pacquiao wishes to return, but thinks he should now stay retired.
"I think it's so hard for fighters, you have seen it in the Olympics with athletes coming back," he told marvelbet369.com.
"We've seen so many fighters come back, you always think back to Muhammad Ali and the damage that those last fights had on his life.
"It is very hard as a promoter to say it, but equally if you have enough money in the bank you have to protect your health.
"I think it showed in that exhibition that it really should be the end, but ultimately stranger things have happened.
"As I say fighters are addicted to that buzz and it is very hard to replace it in those final years."
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