Andre Ward wouldn't surprise me in returning in one of these but I would have thought he would want an opponent that he's heavily favoured to beat. Jake Paul?
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 26, 2026
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
CM Punk, Batista and Bobby Lashley all gave it a go in MMA, then you have all the pro wrestler guys from pride who actually had some success in varying capacities. Not to say they'd be any good but I wouldn't be surprised to see Logan Paul have an MMA fight against another marketable wrestler or something like that.gilgamesh wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026, 11:03After Butterbean flattened that one Wrestler in 1999, I don't think any other Wrestlers are going to be signing up for that kinda treatment any time soon.joshj909 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026, 11:00Could we see some sort of WWE star against an actual professional combat sports athlete? Maybe two non-martisl arts athletes against each other like basketball player Vs American football. Maybe even 50 Cent Vs P Diddy or something. I can only think of nonsense matchups that would grab the casual's attention whilst making a bit of a mockery of sports.zorndeslammes wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026, 10:13
When the WWE first came to Saudi Arabia, there were reports they had asked for guys to be booked on the show who had been dead for years like Yokozuna. I think about that a lot as their money is being funneled into booking the stars of 20 years ago in boxing and even MMA for megabouts. Along those lines, seems like the obvious next Netflix super fight will probably be something like an all Ukrainian HW championship Wladimir Klitschko/Usyk fight. They have been talking with Wlad, after all.
Not unless the Saudi's offer 'em 200 Million or something...which of course, they might.
All the Wrestlers are p*ssies now though.
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
And WWE has a working deal with Netflix already so yeah something like that could definitely happen.
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Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - 19 September 2026
Mayweather-Pacquiao II: How fight got made, records they want to break
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao shocked the sports world Monday by announcing a rematch on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Netflix.
The bout will take place more than 11 years after their first encounter, a blockbuster bout that Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
Mayweather, who turned 49 on Tuesday, and Pacquiao, 47, are grandfathers now, but they’re still capable of captivating a grand audience.
One of the instrumental figures involved in getting the fight across the finish line was Jas Mathur, the CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. Mathur took on the role in December, and before working with Pacquiao, Mathur also had a working relationship and friendship with Mayweather through his company, Limitless X Holdings.
The Ring caught up with Mathur to get a better understanding of how Mayweather-Pacquiao was made and some of the specific details surrounding the fight. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch was in consideration for quite a while. What was the turning point in finally getting the deal done?
It was a combination of things. Many people have tried to do the rematch. A lot of deals and offers have come through. It always comes down to the strength of the offer and how many parties are involved in the middle, bringing the offer to the table. When there are a lot of people in the middle, it just doesn't come across the right way. My strength is taking things and bringing them to the finish line. I have a relationship on both sides, so I was able to do that.
Netflix was one of the biggest factors that played a role in this. Netflix is for today's era and has over 325 million global subscribers. We're no longer in a pay-per-view era. That model is done. Over 100 million people have already watched boxing on Netflix, so we know we have numbers to set and records to break, again, which these two guys want to do. There are additional opportunities that are going to come through the Netflix platform, the potential long-term partnership that's going to come for so many other things down the road with other Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies globally.
Netflix is heavily invested in this to make this the biggest Netflix Sports event ever, from a production standpoint, and they committed to the Sphere in order to do that. It's all of these things put together, and the right people being involved. That's how we got to the finish line.
Do you feel the demand is going to match the expectations?
Demand-wise, people are always going to have comments and something to say. A lot of people are excited. And then there are others saying this fight is not going to do that great. Or why are they doing this? They're old, this, that. Those are the first people who are going to want to watch it.
As we get closer to the fight, as people start seeing their training camp videos, they are going to realize that this is not a joke. They'll be in serious condition. There is a reason why they are global names outside of boxing and household brands. There is a reason why they broke records once, and they are going to break them again. These guys are built differently.
Let’s get into some key particulars: How many rounds is the fight, at what weight will it be contested, and what are the ounces for the gloves that will be used?
It's going to be either 10 or 12 three-minute rounds. They will use eight-ounce gloves. The weight has not been confirmed yet. We are still waiting on Floyd's side. Manny wants 147 pounds.
The first fight generated nearly $600 million in revenue, and pay per view played a big role in that. Considering this is free to watch for Netflix subscribers, how much are you anticipating being in the pot for this fight once everything is calculated?
There is no limit to how much can be in the pot. It is a completely different model. A lot of this is going to be based on Netflix's subscriber count going up, more people from Asia joining in, and stuff like that. It's part of the reason why Netflix wants to do it. In terms of numbers, we are expecting significant numbers. From a base guarantee, purses standpoint, and the backend, the deal that both fighters have with Netflix is better than any other deal Netflix has done with any other boxer until today.
Can you share how much Pacquiao and Mayweather are making for this fight?
I can't share the exact number, but let's just say, you know what they are worth, and they know what they are worth, and they know the numbers they have done before. If the numbers didn't make sense, they would not have signed on the dotted line, and we wouldn't be where we are today.
Are they earning over or under $50 million each?
Over.
The first fight was billed as the Fight of the Century, but it failed to live up to the massive expectations, and it left fans with a bad taste. How can this fight be different 11 years later?
It's very hard to explain this, but these guys are in better condition today than before, I would say. Floyd's conditioning hasn't changed at all. We saw what Manny did against Mario Barrios in July. He's in phenomenal condition. It's hard to say, 'Well, wait. Here we are 11 years later. How did they improve over time?' It's just the way some people are. They get better with age.
Are you and Pacquiao anticipating an older Mayweather to be a more stationary target who can be hit and get hurt in the rematch?
I don't think Floyd will ever be a stationary target. Manny knows that. That's not Floyd. There is a reason why he's the greatest of all time. There is a reason why he's 50-0. And there is a bigger reason why he's agreed to step back into the ring, and that's because Floyd is Floyd. Floyd plays to win, as does Manny. It's going to be very good.
As far as health and safety goes, what has been communicated to you and the team by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in regard to medical testing and health and safety precautions they plan on taking considering their age?
The medicals and stuff are the same. It's the standard testing, which is typically: full physical, MRI, MRA, blood, eye exam, and EKG. They are getting insurance, so that's not a problem. There are no concerns or issues there. You also have to look at their history and how they have performed. They've always shown up. They are not risks.
Drug testing was a big sticking point for Mayweather in the first fight during the negotiation process. Is there going to be drug testing for this fight?
Yes, most likely yes, there will be. Floyd always likes to work with USADA, so it will likely be USADA.
The purse split was also a big sticking point in the first fight. Were negotiations easier this time around?
I wouldn't say the negotiations were easier. In something like this, nothing is easy. It takes a lot of time. It was months of negotiations. There were a lot of things around this that made life very challenging for me. But there were rational people on all sides, and Netflix, and the production company, EverWonder Studio, were great partners. We were able to get it done.
What are some of the challenges you solved?
The challenges are always that you are dealing with a lot of egos, and you are dealing with a lot of people who have other personal motives. You have to be able to navigate around that and not let that impact the fighter's best interests. That's part of the reason why it took time, but the time led us to a positive result and a place where we are today.
What is the undercard going to look like?
The undercard is going to be good. It will be a meaningful one. It's going to be done by Floyd and Manny. We would like to have Manny's son Jimuel and Floyd's protege Curmel Moton on the card. There could possibly be world title fights as well. We want generational storytelling. We want legends. We want rising stars of the future.
Can we expect Manny Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton to face each other to continue the storyline?
It's not impossible. We won't rule it out. But this all comes down to what Manny and Floyd want, and what the respective fighters want.
Staging a sporting event at the Sphere is certainly a significant undertaking. Why did you specifically seek this venue?
Netflix wanted the Sphere, and their rationale behind it was the production and what they felt they could do. They want to create an event that will be remembered forever as the greatest boxing event of all time. And it's not just boxing, it's sports entertainment. They want to showcase this on the highest level possible.
Have you had any talks with Dana White and his team at the UFC to pick their brains on what you’re about to embark on at the Sphere after their event and $20 million production?
We don't know what the future holds. We're still at an early stage. We're open to anything. Dana is a great promoter. Just look at what he's built. With what we are doing and the team that we have in place, I can't say that he won't be a part of it. I always say this: If you're the smartest in the room, you're in the wrong room. The more brains you have in the room, even for advisory purposes, that's great. I don't have an ego, and I always like to be around people who are smarter than me, because not everybody knows everything about everything. That also goes for Dana White. Every day, he is learning. It gives ambition to want to accomplish more. The fun is the challenge of the game and being able to conquer and do things that people think you can't do.
From a Sphere-specific standpoint, our production partner EverWonder Studio has it covered. That's what they do, high-profile events all the time. From an economic standpoint, it doesn't make sense to do boxing or UFC events at the Sphere.
But this is not a standard boxing event. It's an iconic fight inside a top venue where you can create a production masterpiece that’s never been done before in boxing.
The Sphere is a grand venue, and Netflix is the grand platform. Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul had 60 million people streaming the event globally on Netflix. Are you and Netflix expecting to surpass that number?
One-hundred percent. I wouldn't even blink an eye at that. We will beat the Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul number. If you look at the global reach of Floyd and Manny and the global following they have, it's massive.
Before this fight, Mayweather is taking on Mike Tyson in an exhibition on April 25, and one week before, Pacquiao is taking on Ruslan Provodnikov in an exhibition as well. Why did you feel an exhibition was necessary for Pacquiao, considering he already made a comeback as a pro?
So, the Pacquiao-Provodnikov exhibition that is there right now is not official. It's 100% not official. It's not done. It's not locked in. It's not signed and sealed. It's not the opponent that is the problem; it's the certain structures and arrangements of the deal itself.
Manny will likely have an exhibition before the Mayweather fight. We are working on it. I don't know if it will be this one, because as of right now, this one is not official. It's floating around. The people who are putting it on have an opportunity to try and make it happen, but it's not something we wanted to tackle until its time, and that time is now to sort it all out.
We want Manny to have an exhibition. He can stay in shape, fight, and make money while doing it. Why say no to money? He's going to spar and fight anyway inside the gym, so might as well do an exhibition and have some relevance.
How do you envision Mayweather-Pacquiao II will be perceived once the event is over?
The day after this event is over, the conversation we are having is history was made again, records were broken again, and an event was put on that no one else can come close to putting on. Everyone is going to be shocked and be like, they're not done yet. Everyone will be wondering and waiting to watch them fight for a third time, or against someone else.
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao shocked the sports world Monday by announcing a rematch on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Netflix.
The bout will take place more than 11 years after their first encounter, a blockbuster bout that Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
Mayweather, who turned 49 on Tuesday, and Pacquiao, 47, are grandfathers now, but they’re still capable of captivating a grand audience.
One of the instrumental figures involved in getting the fight across the finish line was Jas Mathur, the CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. Mathur took on the role in December, and before working with Pacquiao, Mathur also had a working relationship and friendship with Mayweather through his company, Limitless X Holdings.
The Ring caught up with Mathur to get a better understanding of how Mayweather-Pacquiao was made and some of the specific details surrounding the fight. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch was in consideration for quite a while. What was the turning point in finally getting the deal done?
It was a combination of things. Many people have tried to do the rematch. A lot of deals and offers have come through. It always comes down to the strength of the offer and how many parties are involved in the middle, bringing the offer to the table. When there are a lot of people in the middle, it just doesn't come across the right way. My strength is taking things and bringing them to the finish line. I have a relationship on both sides, so I was able to do that.
Netflix was one of the biggest factors that played a role in this. Netflix is for today's era and has over 325 million global subscribers. We're no longer in a pay-per-view era. That model is done. Over 100 million people have already watched boxing on Netflix, so we know we have numbers to set and records to break, again, which these two guys want to do. There are additional opportunities that are going to come through the Netflix platform, the potential long-term partnership that's going to come for so many other things down the road with other Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies globally.
Netflix is heavily invested in this to make this the biggest Netflix Sports event ever, from a production standpoint, and they committed to the Sphere in order to do that. It's all of these things put together, and the right people being involved. That's how we got to the finish line.
Do you feel the demand is going to match the expectations?
Demand-wise, people are always going to have comments and something to say. A lot of people are excited. And then there are others saying this fight is not going to do that great. Or why are they doing this? They're old, this, that. Those are the first people who are going to want to watch it.
As we get closer to the fight, as people start seeing their training camp videos, they are going to realize that this is not a joke. They'll be in serious condition. There is a reason why they are global names outside of boxing and household brands. There is a reason why they broke records once, and they are going to break them again. These guys are built differently.
Let’s get into some key particulars: How many rounds is the fight, at what weight will it be contested, and what are the ounces for the gloves that will be used?
It's going to be either 10 or 12 three-minute rounds. They will use eight-ounce gloves. The weight has not been confirmed yet. We are still waiting on Floyd's side. Manny wants 147 pounds.
The first fight generated nearly $600 million in revenue, and pay per view played a big role in that. Considering this is free to watch for Netflix subscribers, how much are you anticipating being in the pot for this fight once everything is calculated?
There is no limit to how much can be in the pot. It is a completely different model. A lot of this is going to be based on Netflix's subscriber count going up, more people from Asia joining in, and stuff like that. It's part of the reason why Netflix wants to do it. In terms of numbers, we are expecting significant numbers. From a base guarantee, purses standpoint, and the backend, the deal that both fighters have with Netflix is better than any other deal Netflix has done with any other boxer until today.
Can you share how much Pacquiao and Mayweather are making for this fight?
I can't share the exact number, but let's just say, you know what they are worth, and they know what they are worth, and they know the numbers they have done before. If the numbers didn't make sense, they would not have signed on the dotted line, and we wouldn't be where we are today.
Are they earning over or under $50 million each?
Over.
The first fight was billed as the Fight of the Century, but it failed to live up to the massive expectations, and it left fans with a bad taste. How can this fight be different 11 years later?
It's very hard to explain this, but these guys are in better condition today than before, I would say. Floyd's conditioning hasn't changed at all. We saw what Manny did against Mario Barrios in July. He's in phenomenal condition. It's hard to say, 'Well, wait. Here we are 11 years later. How did they improve over time?' It's just the way some people are. They get better with age.
Are you and Pacquiao anticipating an older Mayweather to be a more stationary target who can be hit and get hurt in the rematch?
I don't think Floyd will ever be a stationary target. Manny knows that. That's not Floyd. There is a reason why he's the greatest of all time. There is a reason why he's 50-0. And there is a bigger reason why he's agreed to step back into the ring, and that's because Floyd is Floyd. Floyd plays to win, as does Manny. It's going to be very good.
As far as health and safety goes, what has been communicated to you and the team by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in regard to medical testing and health and safety precautions they plan on taking considering their age?
The medicals and stuff are the same. It's the standard testing, which is typically: full physical, MRI, MRA, blood, eye exam, and EKG. They are getting insurance, so that's not a problem. There are no concerns or issues there. You also have to look at their history and how they have performed. They've always shown up. They are not risks.
Drug testing was a big sticking point for Mayweather in the first fight during the negotiation process. Is there going to be drug testing for this fight?
Yes, most likely yes, there will be. Floyd always likes to work with USADA, so it will likely be USADA.
The purse split was also a big sticking point in the first fight. Were negotiations easier this time around?
I wouldn't say the negotiations were easier. In something like this, nothing is easy. It takes a lot of time. It was months of negotiations. There were a lot of things around this that made life very challenging for me. But there were rational people on all sides, and Netflix, and the production company, EverWonder Studio, were great partners. We were able to get it done.
What are some of the challenges you solved?
The challenges are always that you are dealing with a lot of egos, and you are dealing with a lot of people who have other personal motives. You have to be able to navigate around that and not let that impact the fighter's best interests. That's part of the reason why it took time, but the time led us to a positive result and a place where we are today.
What is the undercard going to look like?
The undercard is going to be good. It will be a meaningful one. It's going to be done by Floyd and Manny. We would like to have Manny's son Jimuel and Floyd's protege Curmel Moton on the card. There could possibly be world title fights as well. We want generational storytelling. We want legends. We want rising stars of the future.
Can we expect Manny Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton to face each other to continue the storyline?
It's not impossible. We won't rule it out. But this all comes down to what Manny and Floyd want, and what the respective fighters want.
Staging a sporting event at the Sphere is certainly a significant undertaking. Why did you specifically seek this venue?
Netflix wanted the Sphere, and their rationale behind it was the production and what they felt they could do. They want to create an event that will be remembered forever as the greatest boxing event of all time. And it's not just boxing, it's sports entertainment. They want to showcase this on the highest level possible.
Have you had any talks with Dana White and his team at the UFC to pick their brains on what you’re about to embark on at the Sphere after their event and $20 million production?
We don't know what the future holds. We're still at an early stage. We're open to anything. Dana is a great promoter. Just look at what he's built. With what we are doing and the team that we have in place, I can't say that he won't be a part of it. I always say this: If you're the smartest in the room, you're in the wrong room. The more brains you have in the room, even for advisory purposes, that's great. I don't have an ego, and I always like to be around people who are smarter than me, because not everybody knows everything about everything. That also goes for Dana White. Every day, he is learning. It gives ambition to want to accomplish more. The fun is the challenge of the game and being able to conquer and do things that people think you can't do.
From a Sphere-specific standpoint, our production partner EverWonder Studio has it covered. That's what they do, high-profile events all the time. From an economic standpoint, it doesn't make sense to do boxing or UFC events at the Sphere.
But this is not a standard boxing event. It's an iconic fight inside a top venue where you can create a production masterpiece that’s never been done before in boxing.
The Sphere is a grand venue, and Netflix is the grand platform. Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul had 60 million people streaming the event globally on Netflix. Are you and Netflix expecting to surpass that number?
One-hundred percent. I wouldn't even blink an eye at that. We will beat the Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul number. If you look at the global reach of Floyd and Manny and the global following they have, it's massive.
Before this fight, Mayweather is taking on Mike Tyson in an exhibition on April 25, and one week before, Pacquiao is taking on Ruslan Provodnikov in an exhibition as well. Why did you feel an exhibition was necessary for Pacquiao, considering he already made a comeback as a pro?
So, the Pacquiao-Provodnikov exhibition that is there right now is not official. It's 100% not official. It's not done. It's not locked in. It's not signed and sealed. It's not the opponent that is the problem; it's the certain structures and arrangements of the deal itself.
Manny will likely have an exhibition before the Mayweather fight. We are working on it. I don't know if it will be this one, because as of right now, this one is not official. It's floating around. The people who are putting it on have an opportunity to try and make it happen, but it's not something we wanted to tackle until its time, and that time is now to sort it all out.
We want Manny to have an exhibition. He can stay in shape, fight, and make money while doing it. Why say no to money? He's going to spar and fight anyway inside the gym, so might as well do an exhibition and have some relevance.
How do you envision Mayweather-Pacquiao II will be perceived once the event is over?
The day after this event is over, the conversation we are having is history was made again, records were broken again, and an event was put on that no one else can come close to putting on. Everyone is going to be shocked and be like, they're not done yet. Everyone will be wondering and waiting to watch them fight for a third time, or against someone else.
-
Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 100697
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
Mayweather-Pacquiao II: How fight got made, records they want to break
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao shocked the sports world Monday by announcing a rematch on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Netflix.
The bout will take place more than 11 years after their first encounter, a blockbuster bout that Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
Mayweather, who turned 49 on Tuesday, and Pacquiao, 47, are grandfathers now, but they’re still capable of captivating a grand audience.
One of the instrumental figures involved in getting the fight across the finish line was Jas Mathur, the CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. Mathur took on the role in December, and before working with Pacquiao, Mathur also had a working relationship and friendship with Mayweather through his company, Limitless X Holdings.
The Ring caught up with Mathur to get a better understanding of how Mayweather-Pacquiao was made and some of the specific details surrounding the fight. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch was in consideration for quite a while. What was the turning point in finally getting the deal done?
It was a combination of things. Many people have tried to do the rematch. A lot of deals and offers have come through. It always comes down to the strength of the offer and how many parties are involved in the middle, bringing the offer to the table. When there are a lot of people in the middle, it just doesn't come across the right way. My strength is taking things and bringing them to the finish line. I have a relationship on both sides, so I was able to do that.
Netflix was one of the biggest factors that played a role in this. Netflix is for today's era and has over 325 million global subscribers. We're no longer in a pay-per-view era. That model is done. Over 100 million people have already watched boxing on Netflix, so we know we have numbers to set and records to break, again, which these two guys want to do. There are additional opportunities that are going to come through the Netflix platform, the potential long-term partnership that's going to come for so many other things down the road with other Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies globally.
Netflix is heavily invested in this to make this the biggest Netflix Sports event ever, from a production standpoint, and they committed to the Sphere in order to do that. It's all of these things put together, and the right people being involved. That's how we got to the finish line.
Do you feel the demand is going to match the expectations?
Demand-wise, people are always going to have comments and something to say. A lot of people are excited. And then there are others saying this fight is not going to do that great. Or why are they doing this? They're old, this, that. Those are the first people who are going to want to watch it.
As we get closer to the fight, as people start seeing their training camp videos, they are going to realize that this is not a joke. They'll be in serious condition. There is a reason why they are global names outside of boxing and household brands. There is a reason why they broke records once, and they are going to break them again. These guys are built differently.
Let’s get into some key particulars: How many rounds is the fight, at what weight will it be contested, and what are the ounces for the gloves that will be used?
It's going to be either 10 or 12 three-minute rounds. They will use eight-ounce gloves. The weight has not been confirmed yet. We are still waiting on Floyd's side. Manny wants 147 pounds.
The first fight generated nearly $600 million in revenue, and pay per view played a big role in that. Considering this is free to watch for Netflix subscribers, how much are you anticipating being in the pot for this fight once everything is calculated?
There is no limit to how much can be in the pot. It is a completely different model. A lot of this is going to be based on Netflix's subscriber count going up, more people from Asia joining in, and stuff like that. It's part of the reason why Netflix wants to do it. In terms of numbers, we are expecting significant numbers. From a base guarantee, purses standpoint, and the backend, the deal that both fighters have with Netflix is better than any other deal Netflix has done with any other boxer until today.
Can you share how much Pacquiao and Mayweather are making for this fight?
I can't share the exact number, but let's just say, you know what they are worth, and they know what they are worth, and they know the numbers they have done before. If the numbers didn't make sense, they would not have signed on the dotted line, and we wouldn't be where we are today.
Are they earning over or under $50 million each?
Over.
The first fight was billed as the Fight of the Century, but it failed to live up to the massive expectations, and it left fans with a bad taste. How can this fight be different 11 years later?
It's very hard to explain this, but these guys are in better condition today than before, I would say. Floyd's conditioning hasn't changed at all. We saw what Manny did against Mario Barrios in July. He's in phenomenal condition. It's hard to say, 'Well, wait. Here we are 11 years later. How did they improve over time?' It's just the way some people are. They get better with age.
Are you and Pacquiao anticipating an older Mayweather to be a more stationary target who can be hit and get hurt in the rematch?
I don't think Floyd will ever be a stationary target. Manny knows that. That's not Floyd. There is a reason why he's the greatest of all time. There is a reason why he's 50-0. And there is a bigger reason why he's agreed to step back into the ring, and that's because Floyd is Floyd. Floyd plays to win, as does Manny. It's going to be very good.
As far as health and safety goes, what has been communicated to you and the team by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in regard to medical testing and health and safety precautions they plan on taking considering their age?
The medicals and stuff are the same. It's the standard testing, which is typically: full physical, MRI, MRA, blood, eye exam, and EKG. They are getting insurance, so that's not a problem. There are no concerns or issues there. You also have to look at their history and how they have performed. They've always shown up. They are not risks.
Drug testing was a big sticking point for Mayweather in the first fight during the negotiation process. Is there going to be drug testing for this fight?
Yes, most likely yes, there will be. Floyd always likes to work with USADA, so it will likely be USADA.
The purse split was also a big sticking point in the first fight. Were negotiations easier this time around?
I wouldn't say the negotiations were easier. In something like this, nothing is easy. It takes a lot of time. It was months of negotiations. There were a lot of things around this that made life very challenging for me. But there were rational people on all sides, and Netflix, and the production company, EverWonder Studio, were great partners. We were able to get it done.
What are some of the challenges you solved?
The challenges are always that you are dealing with a lot of egos, and you are dealing with a lot of people who have other personal motives. You have to be able to navigate around that and not let that impact the fighter's best interests. That's part of the reason why it took time, but the time led us to a positive result and a place where we are today.
What is the undercard going to look like?
The undercard is going to be good. It will be a meaningful one. It's going to be done by Floyd and Manny. We would like to have Manny's son Jimuel and Floyd's protege Curmel Moton on the card. There could possibly be world title fights as well. We want generational storytelling. We want legends. We want rising stars of the future.
Can we expect Manny Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton to face each other to continue the storyline?
It's not impossible. We won't rule it out. But this all comes down to what Manny and Floyd want, and what the respective fighters want.
Staging a sporting event at the Sphere is certainly a significant undertaking. Why did you specifically seek this venue?
Netflix wanted the Sphere, and their rationale behind it was the production and what they felt they could do. They want to create an event that will be remembered forever as the greatest boxing event of all time. And it's not just boxing, it's sports entertainment. They want to showcase this on the highest level possible.
Have you had any talks with Dana White and his team at the UFC to pick their brains on what you’re about to embark on at the Sphere after their event and $20 million production?
We don't know what the future holds. We're still at an early stage. We're open to anything. Dana is a great promoter. Just look at what he's built. With what we are doing and the team that we have in place, I can't say that he won't be a part of it. I always say this: If you're the smartest in the room, you're in the wrong room. The more brains you have in the room, even for advisory purposes, that's great. I don't have an ego, and I always like to be around people who are smarter than me, because not everybody knows everything about everything. That also goes for Dana White. Every day, he is learning. It gives ambition to want to accomplish more. The fun is the challenge of the game and being able to conquer and do things that people think you can't do.
From a Sphere-specific standpoint, our production partner EverWonder Studio has it covered. That's what they do, high-profile events all the time. From an economic standpoint, it doesn't make sense to do boxing or UFC events at the Sphere.
But this is not a standard boxing event. It's an iconic fight inside a top venue where you can create a production masterpiece that’s never been done before in boxing.
The Sphere is a grand venue, and Netflix is the grand platform. Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul had 60 million people streaming the event globally on Netflix. Are you and Netflix expecting to surpass that number?
One-hundred percent. I wouldn't even blink an eye at that. We will beat the Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul number. If you look at the global reach of Floyd and Manny and the global following they have, it's massive.
Before this fight, Mayweather is taking on Mike Tyson in an exhibition on April 25, and one week before, Pacquiao is taking on Ruslan Provodnikov in an exhibition as well. Why did you feel an exhibition was necessary for Pacquiao, considering he already made a comeback as a pro?
So, the Pacquiao-Provodnikov exhibition that is there right now is not official. It's 100% not official. It's not done. It's not locked in. It's not signed and sealed. It's not the opponent that is the problem; it's the certain structures and arrangements of the deal itself.
Manny will likely have an exhibition before the Mayweather fight. We are working on it. I don't know if it will be this one, because as of right now, this one is not official. It's floating around. The people who are putting it on have an opportunity to try and make it happen, but it's not something we wanted to tackle until its time, and that time is now to sort it all out.
We want Manny to have an exhibition. He can stay in shape, fight, and make money while doing it. Why say no to money? He's going to spar and fight anyway inside the gym, so might as well do an exhibition and have some relevance.
How do you envision Mayweather-Pacquiao II will be perceived once the event is over?
The day after this event is over, the conversation we are having is history was made again, records were broken again, and an event was put on that no one else can come close to putting on. Everyone is going to be shocked and be like, they're not done yet. Everyone will be wondering and waiting to watch them fight for a third time, or against someone else.
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao shocked the sports world Monday by announcing a rematch on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Netflix.
The bout will take place more than 11 years after their first encounter, a blockbuster bout that Mayweather won by unanimous decision.
Mayweather, who turned 49 on Tuesday, and Pacquiao, 47, are grandfathers now, but they’re still capable of captivating a grand audience.
One of the instrumental figures involved in getting the fight across the finish line was Jas Mathur, the CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. Mathur took on the role in December, and before working with Pacquiao, Mathur also had a working relationship and friendship with Mayweather through his company, Limitless X Holdings.
The Ring caught up with Mathur to get a better understanding of how Mayweather-Pacquiao was made and some of the specific details surrounding the fight. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch was in consideration for quite a while. What was the turning point in finally getting the deal done?
It was a combination of things. Many people have tried to do the rematch. A lot of deals and offers have come through. It always comes down to the strength of the offer and how many parties are involved in the middle, bringing the offer to the table. When there are a lot of people in the middle, it just doesn't come across the right way. My strength is taking things and bringing them to the finish line. I have a relationship on both sides, so I was able to do that.
Netflix was one of the biggest factors that played a role in this. Netflix is for today's era and has over 325 million global subscribers. We're no longer in a pay-per-view era. That model is done. Over 100 million people have already watched boxing on Netflix, so we know we have numbers to set and records to break, again, which these two guys want to do. There are additional opportunities that are going to come through the Netflix platform, the potential long-term partnership that's going to come for so many other things down the road with other Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies globally.
Netflix is heavily invested in this to make this the biggest Netflix Sports event ever, from a production standpoint, and they committed to the Sphere in order to do that. It's all of these things put together, and the right people being involved. That's how we got to the finish line.
Do you feel the demand is going to match the expectations?
Demand-wise, people are always going to have comments and something to say. A lot of people are excited. And then there are others saying this fight is not going to do that great. Or why are they doing this? They're old, this, that. Those are the first people who are going to want to watch it.
As we get closer to the fight, as people start seeing their training camp videos, they are going to realize that this is not a joke. They'll be in serious condition. There is a reason why they are global names outside of boxing and household brands. There is a reason why they broke records once, and they are going to break them again. These guys are built differently.
Let’s get into some key particulars: How many rounds is the fight, at what weight will it be contested, and what are the ounces for the gloves that will be used?
It's going to be either 10 or 12 three-minute rounds. They will use eight-ounce gloves. The weight has not been confirmed yet. We are still waiting on Floyd's side. Manny wants 147 pounds.
The first fight generated nearly $600 million in revenue, and pay per view played a big role in that. Considering this is free to watch for Netflix subscribers, how much are you anticipating being in the pot for this fight once everything is calculated?
There is no limit to how much can be in the pot. It is a completely different model. A lot of this is going to be based on Netflix's subscriber count going up, more people from Asia joining in, and stuff like that. It's part of the reason why Netflix wants to do it. In terms of numbers, we are expecting significant numbers. From a base guarantee, purses standpoint, and the backend, the deal that both fighters have with Netflix is better than any other deal Netflix has done with any other boxer until today.
Can you share how much Pacquiao and Mayweather are making for this fight?
I can't share the exact number, but let's just say, you know what they are worth, and they know what they are worth, and they know the numbers they have done before. If the numbers didn't make sense, they would not have signed on the dotted line, and we wouldn't be where we are today.
Are they earning over or under $50 million each?
Over.
The first fight was billed as the Fight of the Century, but it failed to live up to the massive expectations, and it left fans with a bad taste. How can this fight be different 11 years later?
It's very hard to explain this, but these guys are in better condition today than before, I would say. Floyd's conditioning hasn't changed at all. We saw what Manny did against Mario Barrios in July. He's in phenomenal condition. It's hard to say, 'Well, wait. Here we are 11 years later. How did they improve over time?' It's just the way some people are. They get better with age.
Are you and Pacquiao anticipating an older Mayweather to be a more stationary target who can be hit and get hurt in the rematch?
I don't think Floyd will ever be a stationary target. Manny knows that. That's not Floyd. There is a reason why he's the greatest of all time. There is a reason why he's 50-0. And there is a bigger reason why he's agreed to step back into the ring, and that's because Floyd is Floyd. Floyd plays to win, as does Manny. It's going to be very good.
As far as health and safety goes, what has been communicated to you and the team by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in regard to medical testing and health and safety precautions they plan on taking considering their age?
The medicals and stuff are the same. It's the standard testing, which is typically: full physical, MRI, MRA, blood, eye exam, and EKG. They are getting insurance, so that's not a problem. There are no concerns or issues there. You also have to look at their history and how they have performed. They've always shown up. They are not risks.
Drug testing was a big sticking point for Mayweather in the first fight during the negotiation process. Is there going to be drug testing for this fight?
Yes, most likely yes, there will be. Floyd always likes to work with USADA, so it will likely be USADA.
The purse split was also a big sticking point in the first fight. Were negotiations easier this time around?
I wouldn't say the negotiations were easier. In something like this, nothing is easy. It takes a lot of time. It was months of negotiations. There were a lot of things around this that made life very challenging for me. But there were rational people on all sides, and Netflix, and the production company, EverWonder Studio, were great partners. We were able to get it done.
What are some of the challenges you solved?
The challenges are always that you are dealing with a lot of egos, and you are dealing with a lot of people who have other personal motives. You have to be able to navigate around that and not let that impact the fighter's best interests. That's part of the reason why it took time, but the time led us to a positive result and a place where we are today.
What is the undercard going to look like?
The undercard is going to be good. It will be a meaningful one. It's going to be done by Floyd and Manny. We would like to have Manny's son Jimuel and Floyd's protege Curmel Moton on the card. There could possibly be world title fights as well. We want generational storytelling. We want legends. We want rising stars of the future.
Can we expect Manny Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton to face each other to continue the storyline?
It's not impossible. We won't rule it out. But this all comes down to what Manny and Floyd want, and what the respective fighters want.
Staging a sporting event at the Sphere is certainly a significant undertaking. Why did you specifically seek this venue?
Netflix wanted the Sphere, and their rationale behind it was the production and what they felt they could do. They want to create an event that will be remembered forever as the greatest boxing event of all time. And it's not just boxing, it's sports entertainment. They want to showcase this on the highest level possible.
Have you had any talks with Dana White and his team at the UFC to pick their brains on what you’re about to embark on at the Sphere after their event and $20 million production?
We don't know what the future holds. We're still at an early stage. We're open to anything. Dana is a great promoter. Just look at what he's built. With what we are doing and the team that we have in place, I can't say that he won't be a part of it. I always say this: If you're the smartest in the room, you're in the wrong room. The more brains you have in the room, even for advisory purposes, that's great. I don't have an ego, and I always like to be around people who are smarter than me, because not everybody knows everything about everything. That also goes for Dana White. Every day, he is learning. It gives ambition to want to accomplish more. The fun is the challenge of the game and being able to conquer and do things that people think you can't do.
From a Sphere-specific standpoint, our production partner EverWonder Studio has it covered. That's what they do, high-profile events all the time. From an economic standpoint, it doesn't make sense to do boxing or UFC events at the Sphere.
But this is not a standard boxing event. It's an iconic fight inside a top venue where you can create a production masterpiece that’s never been done before in boxing.
The Sphere is a grand venue, and Netflix is the grand platform. Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul had 60 million people streaming the event globally on Netflix. Are you and Netflix expecting to surpass that number?
One-hundred percent. I wouldn't even blink an eye at that. We will beat the Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul number. If you look at the global reach of Floyd and Manny and the global following they have, it's massive.
Before this fight, Mayweather is taking on Mike Tyson in an exhibition on April 25, and one week before, Pacquiao is taking on Ruslan Provodnikov in an exhibition as well. Why did you feel an exhibition was necessary for Pacquiao, considering he already made a comeback as a pro?
So, the Pacquiao-Provodnikov exhibition that is there right now is not official. It's 100% not official. It's not done. It's not locked in. It's not signed and sealed. It's not the opponent that is the problem; it's the certain structures and arrangements of the deal itself.
Manny will likely have an exhibition before the Mayweather fight. We are working on it. I don't know if it will be this one, because as of right now, this one is not official. It's floating around. The people who are putting it on have an opportunity to try and make it happen, but it's not something we wanted to tackle until its time, and that time is now to sort it all out.
We want Manny to have an exhibition. He can stay in shape, fight, and make money while doing it. Why say no to money? He's going to spar and fight anyway inside the gym, so might as well do an exhibition and have some relevance.
How do you envision Mayweather-Pacquiao II will be perceived once the event is over?
The day after this event is over, the conversation we are having is history was made again, records were broken again, and an event was put on that no one else can come close to putting on. Everyone is going to be shocked and be like, they're not done yet. Everyone will be wondering and waiting to watch them fight for a third time, or against someone else.
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
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- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - 19 September 2026
Victor Ortiz sums up Pacquiao’s chances of beating Mayweather in rematch
Over a decade after their first encounter, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to meet for a second time, as ‘TBE’ makes an unexpected professional comeback. Now, Victor Ortiz, who faced Mayweather back in 2011, has laid out his prediction ahead of the fight.
Mayweather famously halted Ortiz in a controversial fashion, dropping and stopping the Kansas-born champion whilst his hands were down and his attention was elsewhere to claim the WBC welterweight world title.
In eight further professional bouts, Mayweather maintained his undefeated record and hung up the gloves after reaching the fabled 50-0 landmark in a stoppage win against UFC fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.
To this day, Ortiz remains as Mayweather’s most recent knockout win over a recognised professional boxer, but that may change when he rematches ‘Pac Man’ at The Sphere in Las Vegas in six months’ time.
In an interview with spam, Ortiz looked ahead to the bout and doesn’t rate Pacquiao’s chances, stating that his former foe wouldn’t come back for a fight he didn’t believe he could win.
“Let’s call it like it is. Floyd is not going to take a fight that he doesn’t think he can win. I don’t know what that gives you, but I know what it gave me.”
As for Ortiz, the former welterweight world champion has announced a comeback of his own, as he takes to the ungloved version of the sport and signs with Bare Knuckle Boxing, with the 39-year-old expected to debut with the BKB franchise in the coming months.
Over a decade after their first encounter, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to meet for a second time, as ‘TBE’ makes an unexpected professional comeback. Now, Victor Ortiz, who faced Mayweather back in 2011, has laid out his prediction ahead of the fight.
Mayweather famously halted Ortiz in a controversial fashion, dropping and stopping the Kansas-born champion whilst his hands were down and his attention was elsewhere to claim the WBC welterweight world title.
In eight further professional bouts, Mayweather maintained his undefeated record and hung up the gloves after reaching the fabled 50-0 landmark in a stoppage win against UFC fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.
To this day, Ortiz remains as Mayweather’s most recent knockout win over a recognised professional boxer, but that may change when he rematches ‘Pac Man’ at The Sphere in Las Vegas in six months’ time.
In an interview with spam, Ortiz looked ahead to the bout and doesn’t rate Pacquiao’s chances, stating that his former foe wouldn’t come back for a fight he didn’t believe he could win.
“Let’s call it like it is. Floyd is not going to take a fight that he doesn’t think he can win. I don’t know what that gives you, but I know what it gave me.”
As for Ortiz, the former welterweight world champion has announced a comeback of his own, as he takes to the ungloved version of the sport and signs with Bare Knuckle Boxing, with the 39-year-old expected to debut with the BKB franchise in the coming months.
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 100697
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
Victor Ortiz sums up Pacquiao’s chances of beating Mayweather in rematch
Over a decade after their first encounter, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to meet for a second time, as ‘TBE’ makes an unexpected professional comeback. Now, Victor Ortiz, who faced Mayweather back in 2011, has laid out his prediction ahead of the fight.
Mayweather famously halted Ortiz in a controversial fashion, dropping and stopping the Kansas-born champion whilst his hands were down and his attention was elsewhere to claim the WBC welterweight world title.
In eight further professional bouts, Mayweather maintained his undefeated record and hung up the gloves after reaching the fabled 50-0 landmark in a stoppage win against UFC fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.
To this day, Ortiz remains as Mayweather’s most recent knockout win over a recognised professional boxer, but that may change when he rematches ‘Pac Man’ at The Sphere in Las Vegas in six months’ time.
In an interview with spam, Ortiz looked ahead to the bout and doesn’t rate Pacquiao’s chances, stating that his former foe wouldn’t come back for a fight he didn’t believe he could win.
“Let’s call it like it is. Floyd is not going to take a fight that he doesn’t think he can win. I don’t know what that gives you, but I know what it gave me.”
As for Ortiz, the former welterweight world champion has announced a comeback of his own, as he takes to the ungloved version of the sport and signs with Bare Knuckle Boxing, with the 39-year-old expected to debut with the BKB franchise in the coming months.
Over a decade after their first encounter, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to meet for a second time, as ‘TBE’ makes an unexpected professional comeback. Now, Victor Ortiz, who faced Mayweather back in 2011, has laid out his prediction ahead of the fight.
Mayweather famously halted Ortiz in a controversial fashion, dropping and stopping the Kansas-born champion whilst his hands were down and his attention was elsewhere to claim the WBC welterweight world title.
In eight further professional bouts, Mayweather maintained his undefeated record and hung up the gloves after reaching the fabled 50-0 landmark in a stoppage win against UFC fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.
To this day, Ortiz remains as Mayweather’s most recent knockout win over a recognised professional boxer, but that may change when he rematches ‘Pac Man’ at The Sphere in Las Vegas in six months’ time.
In an interview with spam, Ortiz looked ahead to the bout and doesn’t rate Pacquiao’s chances, stating that his former foe wouldn’t come back for a fight he didn’t believe he could win.
“Let’s call it like it is. Floyd is not going to take a fight that he doesn’t think he can win. I don’t know what that gives you, but I know what it gave me.”
As for Ortiz, the former welterweight world champion has announced a comeback of his own, as he takes to the ungloved version of the sport and signs with Bare Knuckle Boxing, with the 39-year-old expected to debut with the BKB franchise in the coming months.
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 45213
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - 19 September 2026
Is this an actual bout, or an exhibition.
If it is the former, I actually think Pacman probably beats him, Pacman has been far more active against real fighters more recently.
If it is the former, I actually think Pacman probably beats him, Pacman has been far more active against real fighters more recently.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - 19 September 2026
actual bout.. for nowjamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑10 Mar 2026, 10:31 Is this an actual bout, or an exhibition.
If it is the former, I actually think Pacman probably beats him, Pacman has been far more active against real fighters more recently.
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - 19 September 2026
Live on Netflix – "The bout that was five years too late 10 years ago"
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao | Netflix - 19 September 2026
That's $2500 a tit.semtexreilly wrote: ↑24 Feb 2026, 03:54 Ill be in vegas that wkd,had it booked from a few months ago for me and the wifes 20th wedding anniversary, was praying there would be some boxing on when I was there,hopefully I don't have to remortgage my house for ticketson another note Dolly Parton playing vegas when we're there, was gonna go as a wee surprise for the wife,its costing around £5000 for 2 tickets ,fk that
on another note Dolly Parton playing vegas when we're there, was gonna go as a wee surprise for the wife,its costing around £5000 for 2 tickets ,fk that 
I'm talking about Dolly, not you & the Missus
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 100697
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
What a coincidence. I don't think this will matter at all, and I don't care where it is.
Netflix should jerk the carpet out from under them. If it was worth 100 Million before, now it's 500K. Because frankly if it's just an Exhibition it doesn't f*cking matter at all.
Netflix should jerk the carpet out from under them. If it was worth 100 Million before, now it's 500K. Because frankly if it's just an Exhibition it doesn't f*cking matter at all.
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
No they don’t - they show what makes doe
Paul Tyson 108m streams = most streamed sports event ever
Canelo Crawford 41m households
AJ Paul 33m households
Taylor Serrano - 75m
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
You think Mayweather Pacquiao 2 is worth 500k?gilgamesh wrote: ↑28 Mar 2026, 21:51 What a coincidence. I don't think this will matter at all, and I don't care where it is.
Netflix should jerk the carpet out from under them. If it was worth 100 Million before, now it's 500K. Because frankly if it's just an Exhibition it doesn't f*cking matter at all.
If you headed up Netflix you’d jerk the carpet
Behave
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - 19 September 2026
Is this not just part of the hype this sort of nonsense?
Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
The Rousey Vs Carano card? I also would like to see the new subscription numbers immediately prior to these events. They're not the kind of events to draw anyone new in. They're the kind of weird spectacle that people who look forward to it already have netflix, except the Canelo Vs Crawford and Taylor Vs Serrano cards.
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Sendo Takeshi
- Flyweight
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Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
I never bought into the idea of it being a sanctioned fight. I don't think they can pay Mayweather enough money to risk his perfect record against a younger, more active Pacman.
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tiny_acres
- Middleweight
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Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
And Netflix will still stream 50-100 million people watching this fight.
Casuals will eat this up even if they wore clown outfits and battled with pool noodles.
This fight is not for us it is for the casuals and they are talking about it
Casuals will eat this up even if they wore clown outfits and battled with pool noodles.
This fight is not for us it is for the casuals and they are talking about it
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dickbelden2
- Bantamweight
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Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - September 19, 2026
this should be cancelled if it is NOT a real fight !
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao II | Netflix - 19 September 2026
Floyd Mayweather Jnr: Manny Pacquaio rematch will be an exhibition
Floyd Mayweather Jnr isn’t ready for a rocking chair just yet – but the 49-year-old grandfather and once-retired Hall of Famer will be taking it easy in his latest foray back into boxing.
Mayweather, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday to take in the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman card, offered new details in a video interview with Vegas Sports Today regarding his Netflix event and matchup with old nemesis Manny Pacquiao scheduled for September 19 in Vegas.
“As of right now, we don’t know exactly where the fight is gonna be at,” Mayweather said. “We don’t know the location of the fight. The Sphere is one of the places that they talked about, so we don’t know if it’s 100 percent gonna be there.”
Then, Mayweather added, casually: “And this is not actually a fight – it’s an exhibition.”
That bit of news comes as a surprise, given that Mayweather was expected to be using scheduled circus-act exhibitions against 59-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (April 25) and Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis (June 27) to pocket some cash and sharpen up for the rematch to his 2015 unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao.
Mayweather, 50-0 (27 KOs), noted – accurately – that he never took much punishment throughout his career and has stayed in shape in retirement.
“So if I’m just sitting at home and I’m just working out every day, spending time with my grandson, spending time with my children, I said, ‘Why not go out, have a little fun, entertain and put on some exhibitions?’” he said. “So that’s what I’m gonna do.”
“As of right now, we don't know where the fight is gonna be. The Sphere is one of the places they talked about, so we don't know if it's 100%.”
The first Mayweather-Pacquiao event may not have coined the phrase “marinate a fight,” but it sadly cemented it in the lexicon. The fighters danced around each other for years – and roughly five years too long – before finally meeting in the ring in a spectacle that put the “bust” in “blockbuster.”
But given that Mayweather is pushing 50 and Pacquiao – another unretired Hall of Famer – is a grizzled 47, perhaps it’s best for both men that this one doesn’t count. And also best for the fans, who can sit back and watch the rematch for what it is (or not).
“So we gonna do it again,” Mayweather said, “and hopefully we’re gonna entertain the people.”
Floyd Mayweather Jnr isn’t ready for a rocking chair just yet – but the 49-year-old grandfather and once-retired Hall of Famer will be taking it easy in his latest foray back into boxing.
Mayweather, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday to take in the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman card, offered new details in a video interview with Vegas Sports Today regarding his Netflix event and matchup with old nemesis Manny Pacquiao scheduled for September 19 in Vegas.
“As of right now, we don’t know exactly where the fight is gonna be at,” Mayweather said. “We don’t know the location of the fight. The Sphere is one of the places that they talked about, so we don’t know if it’s 100 percent gonna be there.”
Then, Mayweather added, casually: “And this is not actually a fight – it’s an exhibition.”
That bit of news comes as a surprise, given that Mayweather was expected to be using scheduled circus-act exhibitions against 59-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (April 25) and Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis (June 27) to pocket some cash and sharpen up for the rematch to his 2015 unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao.
Mayweather, 50-0 (27 KOs), noted – accurately – that he never took much punishment throughout his career and has stayed in shape in retirement.
“So if I’m just sitting at home and I’m just working out every day, spending time with my grandson, spending time with my children, I said, ‘Why not go out, have a little fun, entertain and put on some exhibitions?’” he said. “So that’s what I’m gonna do.”
“As of right now, we don't know where the fight is gonna be. The Sphere is one of the places they talked about, so we don't know if it's 100%.”
The first Mayweather-Pacquiao event may not have coined the phrase “marinate a fight,” but it sadly cemented it in the lexicon. The fighters danced around each other for years – and roughly five years too long – before finally meeting in the ring in a spectacle that put the “bust” in “blockbuster.”
But given that Mayweather is pushing 50 and Pacquiao – another unretired Hall of Famer – is a grizzled 47, perhaps it’s best for both men that this one doesn’t count. And also best for the fans, who can sit back and watch the rematch for what it is (or not).
“So we gonna do it again,” Mayweather said, “and hopefully we’re gonna entertain the people.”