MANILA, Philippines -“I don’t mind being a rich coward.”

That was undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather’s frank remark in an exclusive interview with a sports online website when asked to react to criticisms that he is evading to fight Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

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The five-time division world champion, in an interview with FightHype.com on Wednesday, said that by being a “rich coward,” he was able to provide a better life for his family.

“I laugh about it. I really laugh about it because I say, you know, I don’t mind being a rich coward. I’m able to put my kids in the best schools. I was able to retire my mother. I’m able to put my dad in a comfortable position. Even with social media and everything, we don’t like Floyd, we hate Floyd, but we follow Floyd to comment on Floyd,” Mayweather said.

During the interview, Mayweather also disclosed the reason he decided to call out Pacman and set the date of the much-anticipated bout on May 2, 2015.

He said that declaring the boxing mega fight on May 2 is all about timing, knowing that he can now call the shots after Pacquiao suffered a sixth round knockout loss from Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

“I think just timing. You know, the right time, the right place, and I think that this fight should happen. The time is right and the time is now. For years and years, the public has been lied to. The public has been misled by the other side which is the B-side because Mayweather Promotions is the A-side. We just turned the table and I was in a position that Manny Pacquiao is at this particular time,” the American boxer said.

Meanwhile, Mayweather did not pass the opportunity to take another swipe at Pacquiao, saying that the lawmaker-boxer is still being plagued by financial and tax woes.

“His back is against the ropes now. We all know that he has financial problems; he has problems with those three capital letters: I-R-S,” Mayweather added.

Pacquiao earlier said that he is ready to take on Mayweather anytime.

“Tama na ang dakdakan (Stop all this talk). Let’s get it on. Pirmahan na (Let’s sign the deal),” Pacman said.

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