By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Former unbeaten pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., who succeeded eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao as the No.1 fighter in the world, has complimented Pacquiao as one of the best fighters he has met in the ring.

Almost one-and-a-half years after their May 2, 2015 showdown which Mayweather won in a twelve round decision, Floyd told Fight Hype,  “Out of all the fighters that I've faced throughout my career, Pacquiao is one of the best fighters.”

Mayweather  made the statement even as there were rumors that a rematch was being mulled sometime next year with Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach telling us that Manny will have to put on an impressive performance against WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas  - when they clash at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on November 5 - if he wants to face Mayweather in a rematch.

Although fight fans and media criticized the fact that there was not enough action over the twelve rounds which Manny blamed on a shoulder injury suffered  in training and aggravated in the fight and even after his victory, Mayweather has insisted that Pacquiao was a stern challenge for him to overcome.

He said “His movement, I mean, he's fast... the power comes from the legs and how he turns his shots."

Pacquiao who will turn 38 in December came out of a short retirement, which is over a year on from Mayweather’s own retirement, and wants to reclaim the WBO title that he previously owned. Pacquiao lost the title to Mayweather, who was stripped when he didn't pay the WBO their sanctioning fee. It was then captured by Timothy Bradley, who vacated the title to face Pacquiao in April - and captured by Vargas in March when he KO'd Sadam Ali.

The ‘Pacman’ is an overwhelming favorite to win the contest, although Mayweather stopped short of giving a prediction when asked his thoughts on the encounter.

He said "May the best man win.”

While fans paid almost $100 for the pay per view, indications are that a more affordable pay-per-view price may go some way to help a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch to take place in the future.