Event organizers slapped Floyd Mayweather with a Tuesday deadline to resolve his dispute with Manny Pacquiao over an apparent contracted rematch to take place September at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The pair shook up the world earlier this year when Netflix confirmed a second fight for 2026 — 11 years after their first throw hands, arguably more than five years too late, in a drab decision win. But with the American defensive wizard’s activity on the exhibition circuit, and the Filipino fighting icon’s success at world welterweight, a do-over was agreed for one of the most technically-impressive arenas in the entire US.
“The fans have waited long enough — they deserve this rematch, and it will be even bigger now that it will be streamed live globally on Netflix,” said Pacquiao, in a statement sent to Boxing Social in February.
“I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him.”
— Manny Pacquiao
Mayweather, meanwhile, said at that time: “I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result.”
Over time, though, his messaging changed, as he intimated the event was nothing more than an exhibition, and The Sphere wasn’t the guaranteed venue. either.
“That’s not what we signed,” Pacquiao said on Monday’s episode of Inside The Ring: We signed for a real fight. He got his advance. Why is he announcing this propaganda exhibition?
“For me, he cannot get out of his contract because he is going to face a lot of consequences if he doesn’t fight and fails his commitment.
“I think he’s scared of losing,” Pacquiao said.
“That’s his leverage, to go around and have exhibitions because of his undefeated record. If that record will be ruined, what else will he be able to leverage?”
Alan Dawson is Boxing Social’s editor.
He is also a columnist for Uncrowned at Yahoo Sports, and the founder-moderator of Boxing Twitter — a 20,000-strong community on X.
A 17-year sports media veteran, Alan has enjoyed extensive stints at Business Insider as a correspondent, BT Sport as digital editor, and Give Me Sport as combat sports editor.
He is a 2-time Sports Journalist of the Year finalist and has been honored six times by the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Alan grew up near London but is based in Nevada with his young family. Outside boxing he plays 8-handicap golf, hikes, and rides his ebike through the Sierra mountain trails.
View all articles →