Thursday 23 April 2015 10:33, UK
Floyd Mayweather continues to claim he is a better boxer than Muhammad Ali as his showdown with Manny Pacquiao on May 2 gets closer.
The American, unbeaten in 47 professional fights, created a storm earlier this week when he implied he was the best fighter in boxing history.
He told ESPN: “No one can ever brainwash me to make me believe that Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali were better than me.”
And just a few days later he has repeated his comments, despite being blasted by his critics.
Mayweather and Pacquiao meet in Las Vegas in a fight worth £332m, and the 38-year-old old is unconcerned at the growing criticism.
He said: "No disrespect to Muhammad Ali but he did it in one division. I just look at Ali's career when he fought Leon Spinks and lost to a fighter with seven fights.
"There were some other fights he lost and he's still known as 'The Greatest' because that's what he put out there.
"He called himself 'The Greatest' and I call myself TBE (The Best Ever). I'm pretty sure I'll get criticised for what I said but I couldn't care less. I couldn’t care less about the backlash."
I'm pretty sure I'll get criticised for what I said but I couldn't care less.
And Mayweather says he cares little about Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, who is billing the showdown at the MGM Grand as a battle between good and evil.
Mayweather added: "I'm not fighting Freddie Roach, I'm fighting Manny Pacquiao. He's trying to get his fighter the edge.
"He's basically making it a god against a devil kind of thing, but he doesn't have to get in there and fight.
"He's entitled to say what he wants to say, but the fighters aren't speaking like that and it comes down to the two fighters.”
Book Mayweather v Pacquiao, Sky Sports Box Office, May 2, via your phone or online now. If you want to record the event, book via your Sky remote from April 25. skysports.com/maypac
