MANILA, Philippines – Kevin Iole, resident boxing writer for Yahoo! Sports, said the recent statement of HBO executive Ross Greenburg has confirmed one thing: Floyd Mayweather Jr. is ducking Manny Pacquiao.

Iole said the statement of Greenburg, who disclosed that negotiations have indeed taken place between the camps of Mayweather and Pacquiao, proved that the undefeated American boxer is running away from the Filipino boxing champ.

“Mayweather has run from his biggest challenge. The fans, even those who have ardently supported him through the years, will surely remember that,” Iole said in his article.

Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who handles Pacquiao, earlier said he was working out a deal with Mayweather’s Al Haymon through Greenburg.

Days after Mayweather failed to respond to a deadline imposed by Arum, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe claimed that they had no knowledge of any negotiation for a November 13 fight with Pacquiao.

But Greenburg came out with a statement on Monday, saying that he “had been negotiating with a representative from each side since May 2nd, carefully trying to put the fight together.”

“No one is going to ask any more. How can anyone support someone with Mayweather’s arrogance, who cares so little about the fans who made him rich beyond his wildest dreams that he won’t even consider the fight they want more than any other?” said Iole.

The boxing scribe said Mayweather is playing in his “fantasy world” by claiming he is among the “greatest of all time.”

“Boxing doesn’t need him. And, truth be told, he’s wrong about his value… And the next time he dares to compare himself to one of boxing’s all-time greats, such as Sugar Ray Robinson or Sugar Ray Leonard, they’ll scoff,” said Iole.

Following Mayweather's snub, Arum began working out a fight between Pacquiao and Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito.

The turn of events was quite ironic since Yahoo! Sports picked Mayweather as the top pound-for-pound boxer last May.

Mayweather was chosen by Yahoo! Sports’ elite panel of voters over Pacquiao following his victory against “Sugar” Shane Mosley on May 3.

'Holds boxing hostage'

Boxing writer Chris Mannix of SI.com (Sports Illustrated) shared Iole's sentiments.

"He (Mayweather) holds the boxing world hostage by saying he will take his gloves and go home unless the fight isn't when he wants, where he wants and at what weight he wants. He perpetuates a lie -- like the one about his advisor, Al Haymon, not being involved in negotiations with Manny Pacquiao -- because he is confident in the fact that no one in the industry will stand up to him," said Mannix.

"He had a chance to cement that legacy this year by following up a win over Mosley with another over Pacquiao. He passed," he said.