China's richest man Jack Ma challenges Floyd Mayweather to a fight
China's richest man says he's ready to take on The Money Team.
In a video posted to Twitter Sunday, Philippines boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and Alibaba founder Jack Ma challenged Floyd Mayweather to a fight.
"Floyd Mayweather, if you want a real fight, fight me. If you want an exhibition, my guy, my friend, Jack Ma will take care of you, " Pacquiao says.
He then calls them "The Real Manny Team," an apparent play on a lifestyle brand founded by Mayweather, The Money Team.
Floyd Mayweather and Jack Ma Getty
"I am ready. Any time, any place, Manny's team is ready," Ma said.
Ma retired from the Chinese e-commerce giant last month, saying he wanted to pursue his other passions, like education. He is also a renowned martial arts fan -- even starring in a short movie produced by Jet Li, in which he played a tai chi master.
Yet while Ma is clearly in shape, a Mayweather fight is a different matter entirely.
The US boxer has 50-0 winning record and is considered one of the sport's all-time greats. He's technically retired, but has come out of retirement in previous years for big fights. He earned $9 million for just over two minutes of action during a fight in Japan last year.
Floyd Mayweather AAP
Pacquiao first fought Mayweather in 2015, and the Philippines boxer-turned-senator is seeking a rematch.
In that bout, dubbed the "Fight of the Century," Mayweather claimed a unanimous points victory against Pacquiao, who by then was 37 years old and past his prime. Fight fans, pundits and TV networks had for years demanded a bout between the two while they were at their peak, but the two sides could not agree to a deal.
Mayweather Promotions' Leonard Ellerbe told reporters Mayweather "had no interest" in fighting Pacquiao after the event in Japan last year. But that didn't stop Pacquiao from challenging the 42-year-old to another fight in January.
