The International Boxing Organization has issued a challenge to Manny Pacquiao to defend his junior welterweight title or risk being stripped of the crown. The IBO said Thursday that the 32-year-old Filipino has 10 weeks to decide whether to defend the title he won in May from Ricky Hatton. Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Miguel Cotto in a mega welterweight bout in Las Vegas on Nov. 14. The IBO title is the only current belt Pacquiao holds. “Manny Pacquiao was notified that he will be given time to decide whether to defend his championship at 140 pounds or vacate the title,” said IBO president Ed Levine said. “He is still well within his time requirements to make a title defence in the weight class. So, we'll allow him a chance to decide and notify us.” Pacquiao, of General Santos City, is 49-3-2 with 37 knockouts and is unbeaten since a losing to Erik Morales in 2005. According to IBO rules, “all champions, with the exception of the heavyweight champion, shall defend their title at least once every nine months unless medically excused for valid cause and/or at the sole and absolute discretion of the IBO.” Pacquiao has one previous fight at welterweight, scoring a technical knockout win over Oscar De La Hoya last year. Since turning pro 14 years ago he has competed at least once in every weight class from junior flyweight (108 pounds) to lightweight (135 pounds). Mayweather bout never to happen – Pacquiao Manny Pacquiao believes the biggest potential fight in boxing will never happen because Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants no part of him. Pacquiao is training in Hollywood for his meeting with Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas, but the pound-for-pound champion spared a moment Thursday to evaluate his chances of fighting Mayweather, the unbeaten pay-per-view king. Although the matchup almost certainly would be a financial bonanza for both fighters, Pacquiao thinks fans shouldn't hold their breath. “I don't think it's going to happen,” Pacquiao said. “I'm sure he doesn't want to fight.” Mayweather has been circumspect about his plans for his next bout, saying only that he has never ducked anybody and would consider any opponent. In his comeback bout from a 21-month layoff, Mayweather demolished Juan Manuel Marquez on Sept. 19 in a fight that generated more than 1 million pay-per-view buys. Mayweather's advisers claim they haven't ruled out a bout with Pacquiao, likely among the world's few fighters who could match the American's speed. But the Filipino champion has surprisingly strong opinions about why it won't happen. “Boxing for him is like a business,” Pacquiao said. “He doesn't care about the people around him watching. He doesn't care if the fight is boring, as long as the fight is finished and he gets (plenty of) money. ... I want people to be happy. You have a big responsibility as a boxer.” If Mayweather and Pacquiao don't make a deal, Sugar Shane Mosley has been outspoken in his desire to fight Mayweather, even calling him out in the ring moments after his victory over Marquez. Mosley is slated to meet welterweight champion Andre Berto in Las Vegas in January.
