floyd mayweather
Floyd Mayweather Jr. answers Manny Pacquiao’s challenge. (Getty Images)

Just two days after boxing promoter Bob Arum insisted that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is avoiding a fight with Manny Pacquiao to protect his own legacy, the undefeated fighter told Showtime Sports that his camp is not to blame in the stalled negotiations, and he does indeed want to fight Pacquiao.

"Absolutely. I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao. We're trying to make the fight happen," Mayweather said Friday.

Mayweather ran through a couple of reasons why the fight hasn't been scheduled, in his mind, and added that Pacquiao is "desperate" because of his low pay-per-view numbers. He then went on to set a date for the fight next spring.

"We want the fight. We're ready," Mayweather said with his typical bravado. "Let's make it happen, May 2."