Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr 2: Philippine champ taunts retired boxer while sparring with 'good friend' billionaire Jack Ma

Manny Pacquiao recently found a new high-profile personality to join the hype around his much-requested rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. That person is no less than Jack Ma, the teacher-turned-tech-CEO billionaire who recently spent time with the Philippine boxing champ.

Manny Pacquiao taunts Floyd Mayweather Jr. claiming he and Jack Ma are the ‘real money team’

In a video posted on Twitter, Pacquaio stood as Ma’s sparring partner. But the highlight of the online post was when the Philippine senator faced the camera and issued another bold challenge to Mayweather: fight him for a “real” match or face Ma in an exhibit fight.

The video was done in jolly spirits, but it could also be Pacquiao’s way of keeping the speculations alive about his supposed rematch with Mayweather without much trash-talking. But the video did not end without any taunt as Pacquiao called his and Ma’s duo as “The Real Money Team.” Aside from using “Money” as his moniker, Mayweather owns the lifestyle brand The Money Team. Meanwhile, Ma’s reported net worth is around $41.8 billion at the time of his retirement from Alibaba in September.

Whether or not Ma is serious about wanting to face Mayweather in an exhibition match, the video is clear on one thing. It’s that Pacquiao remains open to fight the retired American boxer, but only if it is a match that affects their professional record.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr 2: Is it still happening?

Over the previous weeks, talks about Pacquiao and Mayweather’s supposed rematch heightened following series of statements from boxing promoters affiliated with the boxing rivals. Boxing matchmaker Sean Gibbons revealed Mayweather is adamant on only agreeing to fight Pacquiao in an exhibition and that he does not plan on getting out of retirement. However, a Hong Kong-based promoter later said Mayweather abruptly ended discussions for an exhibition match in China to focus on “the Pacquiao rematch.”

It should be noted, though, that both parties have yet to confirm if there is any progress in rematch talks or if it is actively and formally discussed at all. Pacquiao and Mayweather first fought in May 2015 that resulted in the latter’s victory after a 12-round unanimous decision.