Floyd Mayweather Jr. tweets ‘I’m ready to fight Pacquiao 5/5/12’

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. sent out three more tweets Tuesday making it clear that he doesn’t want to hear about fighting Manny Pacquiao in late May or early June, or concern from Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum that Mayweather lacks a guarantee to encourage him to engage in the super-fight.

‘I’m ready to fight Pacquiao 5/5/12. Bob Arum know the date can’t change. I have my guarantee. Call Schaefer and Al and stop lying to the public,’ Mayweather wrote on Twitter Tuesday afternoon.

The post was in response to Arum repeating that a late May or early June fight date makes more sense so he can explore the construction of a 40,000-plus-seat venue on the Las Vegas Strip for the bout that would pit boxing’s top two pound-for-pound fighters.

Mayweather, scheduled to begin a 90-day jail sentence June 1 for his involvement in a domestic violence episode, has tentatively booked MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for May 5.

Arum has also said Mayweather lacks a financial guarantee to accept the bout, which Arum has said is hurting Mayweather’s ability to commit to the bout.

Instead, Mayweather is claiming he has the guarantee and is urging his former promoter -- they had a bitter parting -- to contact other Arum adversaries Richard Schaefer, chairman of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, and Mayweather manager Al Haymon, to craft a deal.

Boxing officials told The Times earlier Tuesday that Pacquiao will decide this weekend who he wants to fight next. A source close to Mayweather said since both boxers are so interested in now making the fight happen, ‘People better get over their ... selves and make the fight.’

Mayweather is prodding things along.

‘January 16th was Dr. Martin Luther King birthday, January 17 is Muhammad Ali birthday, and May 5th is Pacquiao [rear] whooping day,’ Mayweather tweeted.

‘First they say I’m ducking the fight. But now it seems like I’m begging for the fight. What is going on?’

ALSO:

Pacquiao expected to finalize opponent choice this weekend

Bill Dwyre: Muhammad Ali’s legacy still both butterfly and bee

Photos: Muhammad Ali through the years

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: Floyd Mayweather Jr. speaks during a post-fight news conference following his victory over Victor Ortiz on Sept. 17. Credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images