FLOYD Mayweather Jr. did not read the memo.
About a month after streaming giant Netflix and other news outlets announced the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao rematch, and trumpeted the same as a real boxing fight, Mayweather insisted in a recent interview that it will only be an exhibition bout.
For the record, Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 has been set for Sept. 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be a rematch of the first contest that happened 11 years ago or in May 2015, when Mayweather pounded out a decision win over an injured Pacquiao. The bout was a disappointment. Mayweather fought defensively and Pacquiao showed up with an injured shoulder. When the smoke cleared, however, the fight turned in revenues in the vicinity of $600 million. The fight went down as the richest in boxing history.
A decade later, the rematch is coming into fruition. Then again, nobody asked for an encore given the huge time gap.
Mayweather is 49 and Pacquiao is 47.
Mayweather’s last real fight happened in August 2017, when he stopped Conor McGregor and improved his record to 50-0. Mayweather has since settled for exhibition bouts to preserve his immaculate record.
Pacquiao emerged from a four-year hiatus in July 2025, when he battled then WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a draw. While Pacquiao went the full distance, it is clear he is no longer the ferocious Pacman.
The rematch is only happening because Netflix feels it can still make a lot of money.
Mayweather is also in financial trouble and the huge purse will provide instant relief. Pacquiao also stands to infuse new funds to his piggy bank.
The rematch is only meriting attention because it has been touted as a real contest. Boxing fans are only tuning in because they want to know if Pacquiao will be the first fighter to hand Mayweather his first pro defeat.
The timing of Mayweather’s announcement that the fight will only be an exhibition thus raised eyebrows.
Dig this: Boxing experts believe Pacquiao will give Mayweather a tougher time given the former’s competitive showing against Barrios and the fact that his bum shoulder had long healed. Also, Mayweather has not been in a real fight in 9 years.
Noted trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas offered this prognosis: “Styles make fights, and the style of Mayweather could still be a problem for Pacquiao. But again, Pacquiao has been in a real fight recently, and I know the boxing business — could [the event organizers] already be thinking about a trilogy? Call me crazy, [but] I’m going to call it a draw.”
Note that there is no pressure on Pacquiao heading into the rematch.
Mayweather is still the favorite, but the belief of the fight experts that Pacquiao will give Mayweather a run for his money in the rematch, with Atlas even hinting at a draw, is unsettling for the American.
If Pacquiao-Mayweather ends in a draw, Mayweather’s 50-0 record will be sullied.
Mayweather brags about having beaten everyone in compiling a 50-0 record. A draw means somebody was as good as Mayweather on fight night. A 50-0, 1 draw record means Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record is better as the former heavyweight champ was never held to a draw by anyone.
Verily, one can understand why Mayweather is all of a sudden having second thoughts.
Mayweather’s latest pronouncement could also be his way of asking for more money as he is risking a lot in the Pacquiao fight. It took Mayweather some time to realize the predicament he found himself in.
If Mayweather sticks to his “exhibition” claim, organizers might as well call off the fight.
As aforestated, the possibility of Pacquiao handing Mayweather his first pro loss is the only reason the rematch is getting attention. Take away this angle and the fight loses its significance.
Mayweather is also booked to face former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight. Mayweather stands to earn a lot of money in this fight and it may be enough to address his financial issues without risking his 50-0 record. Mayweather-Tyson is supposed to happen in April, but the details are still being ironed out.
Pacquiao does not have the luxury of time to address Mayweather’s flip-flopping stance. Pacquiao may be better off pursuing a title shot in the welterweight division. Pacquiao was negotiating for a fight with WBA welterweight champ Rolly Romero when the Mayweather rematch was announced. Pacquiao may want to give Romero a second look.