Floyd Mayweather recently announced that he would return to professional boxing, fuelling speculation that a rematch with Manny Pacquiao may be on the cards.
The two sporting icons met in 2015, around six years on from a fight being first discussed. Though the action in the ring underwhelmed, the fight remains the highest grossing pay-per-view in the history of the sport.
Mayweather – who won via unanimous decision – retired in 2017 and has only stepped through the ropes for exhibitions since. However, last week he announced he would be making a proper return following an April exhibition with Mike Tyson.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing. From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards, no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event than my events.”
Pacquiao fought on relatively consistently until 2019, then taking a break until 2021 when he was beaten by Yordenis Ugas. That loss prompted a retirement that lasted four years, as he returned to action last year to challenge for the WBC welterweight world title held by Mario Barrios. The draw on the scorecards meant Pacquiao did not break his own record as the division’s oldest champion, however he vowed to fight on.
Having recently announced an exhibition of his own, the Filipino fighting icon has now reacted to the news of Mayweather’s return, as per ABS-CBN News, believing it to be a positive step.
“[It’s] good for us.”
Pacquiao then added:
“Just wait for the announcement.”
Rematch talks were reported late in 2025, and, if the Hall of Famers insist on returning, many fans would rather see that than to have them compete with today’s generation of fighters. In terms of spectacle, the return fight would dwarf any other option.