WBA (regular) welterweight champion Keith Thurman said that he is willing to "prove himself" as a worthy opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr. by fighting Filipino pugilist Manny Pacquiao, according to Boxing News 24.

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In a recent interview, Thurman (25-0-1, 21 KOs) remarked that Mayweather is more concerned about earning cash than advancing his legacy, which he claimed was the reason why the unbeaten American is not willing to face him this September.

The Florida native had been vocal about his desire to battle the current number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but there was no real interest from the latter's camp to reach a deal with him.

This led the 26-year-old up and coming fighter to remark that he can fight Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) to demonstrate his capacity to stand toe-to-toe with the pay-per-view king. He also expressed interest in fighting Argentine Marcos Maidana, another one of Mayweather's victims to prove his point.

Thurman told SB Nation's Bad Left Hook that he is different and is bigger than Pacquiao. He also said that he had "more head movement, boxing skills, in-and-out, all-around movement" than the eight-division world champion while trying to call out Money for a fight.

One of Thurman's arguments was that he beat American Robert Guerrero more convincingly last March than when Mayweather fought the Californian in 2013. Although both fights ended in a 12-round decision, Thurman looked more impressive than Mayweather in comparing both occasions.

Meanwhile, Sports World News reported that Thurman is trying to "goad the Filipino star into making him famous."

The article said that the power-punching welterweight labeled Pacquiao as undeserving of a rematch with Mayweather. He said that Pac-Man's "big shots never hurt" Floyd and "they were too far removed from each other" to make any lasting impression on the judges.

Thurman also criticized Pacquiao with regards to his injury excuse on why he lost the "Fight of the Century." He said that it was Pacquiao's fault why the match was dull and boring and not Mayweather's.

All these trash talk seems to be a way to try and set up a fight with the Filipino icon when he comes back to the ring next year.

TagsBoxing, Boxing 2015, Boxing News, Boxing News 2015, Boxing Rumors, Boxing Rumors 2015, keith thurman, manny pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr