Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao continues to harbour hopes of facing Mayweather Getty Images/STR

Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao remain on a collision course for a bout in 2015 after both fighters continued their media jousting.

Mayweather has just two fights remaining on his Showtime television contract and has stated his desire to retire next year, leading to rumours the unbeaten American could close his career with a long-awaited showdown with Pacquiao.

The WBA and WBC super welterweight and WBA welterweight champion has continually evaded a potential meeting with Pacquiao, first after demanding random drugs tests prior to the fight before claiming the Filipino was chasing a career-ending payday.

Pacquiao has made no secret of his desire to fight Mayweather before eventually moving permanently into politics, repeatedly calling out his great rival which has led to the 37-year-old posting a photo on Twitter over the weekend documenting his defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

In a reaction to the montage, Pacquiao – who faces Chris Algieri in his next fight on 22 November – has stated that he "feels sorry" for Mayweather following his childish attempt to antagonise him.

"I'm not angry at him," Pacquiao told a Philippines-based television station. "I still feel sorry for him because he acts like an uneducated person. It's pitiful to me and I'm praying for him. He should fear God."

In August, Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, claimed his Top Rank Boxing stable was in negotiations with Showtime and HBO regarding the fight, indicating the fight will take place in the first half of 2015. Mayweather's next fight is scheduled for May.

Following his second defeat of Marcos Maidana at the start of September which took his unbeaten record to 47 fights, Mayweather dropped the first hint that he was ready to face Pacquiao.

"I'm gonna go and talk to my team and see what the future holds," Mayweather said.

"I don't know who I'm fighting in May but I expect to fight in May. Manny Pacquiao needs to focus on the guy in front of him. Once he gets past him, he can look to the future. If the Pacquiao fight presents itself, let's make it happen."

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