Philippines southpaw Pacquiao knocked out British junior welterweight Ricky Hatton with a devastating left hand in the second round for his 10th triumph in a row and claimed a world title in a record-tying sixth weight class.
"Manny is unbelievable. He's the best fighter in the world," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. "He is in his prime right now. Anyone in the world, he could beat them all."
Former undisputed welterweight champion Mayweather put himself atop that list a few hours earlier by announcing the end of his 17-month retirement and a comeback fight July 18 in the same arena against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez.
Mayweather abdicated the pound-to-pound throne that Pacquiao has claimed by winning four fights in a row in as many weight classes, but the International Boxing Organization's new junior welterweight champion likes his current size.
"I'm very comfortable at 140 pounds. You could see it in my performance," Pacquiao said. "I want to stay there."
That's the weighty matter that might delay a showdown with Mayweather, who would not say what weight he will fight the smaller Marquez because talks are still ongoing between 143 and 144 pounds.
Roach said Mayweather feared facing Pacquiao at a similar catch weight so announced his fight before the Filipino star won to make himself the obvious top opponent for Mayweather to prove he is still the ring king he claims to be.
"Mayweather, he just had to wait one day and he could have fought Manny. I think he's afraid of Manny," Roach said. "He made the fight maybe not happen. We're not going to wait for him. There are other great fighters out there."
US veteran Shane Mosley and Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto, two fighters who have tried in vain to make a deal to fight Mayweather, were mentioned by Roach as possible next foes for Pacquiao.
Asked to predict how Pacquiao-Mayweather would end, Roach said he expected the fight to go the distance.
"We win on points," Roach said. "He doesn't like to engage. He's going to run from us."
Roach also made it clear they would not make the leap for a chance to fight Mayweather at his prime weight if he would not step down to face Pacquiao at 140.
"At the right weight? No problem. At 147? Forget it," Roach said. "Why? Manny doesn't need it. Manny's best weight is 140. He should take some time off and make a good decision. He needs some time off."
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said no decision about who Pacquiao faces next will be made until after Cotto's next fight in July, just one week ahead of Mayweather's return to the ring.
One person who thinks Pacquiao-Mayweather will happen sooner rather than later is Mayweather's estranged father and Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr. He doubted there would be much talk about his son fighting Pacquiao.
"They probably aren't going to be talking about it a long time," he said. "They are probably going to be doing it."
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