BoxRec

Manny Pacquiao on Floyd Mayweather Jnr rematch: ‘The fight is on’

Manny Pacquiao told Boxing Scene on Tuesday that Floyd Mayweather Jnr has formally agreed that their September 19 rematch will be a bona fide professional match, imperiling Mayweather’s cherished unblemished record.

“The fight is on,” Pacquiao texted Boxing Scene after Mayweather told reporters in late March that the Netflix-streamed bout at The Sphere in Las Vegas would be an exhibition, with venue arrangements still unfinalized.

In fact, argued the Pacquiao camp, Mayweather, 50-0 (27 KOs), had signed multiple contracts for the fight to be a legitimate professional bout, and had even taken cash advances on the agreements.

Jas Mathur, the president of Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, told “Inside the Ring” on Monday that Mayweather faced an end-of-business Tuesday deadline to confirm he was participating in a pro fight or risk repercussions from Pacquiao, Netflix and others.

Pacquiao urged Mayweather to drop the gamesmanship in a recent interview with Boxing Scene.

“You need to honor your commitment,” said Pacquiao, 62-8-3 (39 KOs). “This time, there’s no reason for alibis or excuses.”

Mayweather, 49, defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision in their first clash, the long-delayed 2015 bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas that still stands as the richest prizefight in history.

Pacquiao, 47, returned to the professional ring in impressive fashion last year, fighting then-WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios to a draw, reviving talk of another showdown with the famously fit Mayweather.

Pacquiao has spent April promoting the event, appearing at multiple sporting events, including throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium and speaking to reporters, including Boxing Scene.

Pacquiao told Boxing Scene at a dinner last week that participating in a high-stakes fight so recently and coming to the fight completely healthy this time, after fighting in 2015 with an injured right shoulder, is “to my advantage because I worked so hard, I had that championship fight. [The Mayweather bout is a] definite victory.”

‘No way we’re going to cancel this fight’: Manny Pacquiao convinced Floyd Mayweather rematch will happen

Manny Pacquiao says contracts have been signed and will need to be adhered to for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.

After recent reports of a rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao came into serious doubt, Pacquiao has spoken out to express his confidence that the sequel will in fact take place. Pacquiao most notably says his confidence stems from the fact that both fighters have a signed contract with Netflix, with both also taking advance money on the bout.

“We both signed the contract and we both got our advance on our purses, so there’s no way we’re going to cancel this fight,” Pacquiao told ESPN on Monday. “Even with our first fight, he’s a lot do deal with, but the fight happened.”

Pacquiao continue on to say that after Mayweather came out to publicly say the fight was intended as an exhibition, he immediately went to seek clarification from his team and knows that they’ve assuredly penned a deal for a legit, professional match. With that in mind, Pacquiao doesn’t really understand Mayweather’s attempt to spin it any other way but the sides have since been in contact with one another since, and are working towards resolving that aspect.

In a segment on with Ring Magazine, Pacquiao also just chalked up Mayweather’s insistence on it not being a professional fight due to him being scared of losing his undefeated record which would undermine his earning potential on the exhibition market.

“I think he’s scared of losing because that’s his leverage to go around and have exhibitions because of his undefeated record. But if that record were ruined, what else can he leverage to go around and have exhibition match?”



For now, Pacquiao says he’s excited to rematch Mayweather as The Sphere, on Netflix, in front of what he expects to be an even bigger audience this time around.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 15:47 Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur revealed on Inside The Ring that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao must finalize their deal for a rematch by end of business day on April 14th

This is getting as tedious as it was for their first fight.

If these negotiations follow the same pattern, we've got another 6 years before they actually get into the ring to bore us all to death again.

To Me the Boxing news is either. Fight is signed or shut the f*ck up about it. If you're reporting a deadline or talks in progress, you're reporting nothing at all.

Manny Pacquiao reveals Mayweather has made his final decision on rematch terms

Manny Pacquiao claims to have received a definitive response from Floyd Mayweather, who recently claimed their upcoming rematch is an exhibition.

Their second encounter is set to take place at The Sphere, Las Vegas, on September 19, with the original announcement stating it would be a professional bout.

As such, fans were all under the impression that Mayweather would be putting his 50-0 record on the line, only for the American to swiftly lower everybody’s expectations.

The 49-year-old declaried their rematch would instead be an exhibition, though Pacquiao has denied this and insists it will be a fully sanctioned contest.

As it happens, Mayweather already had two non-competitive affairs scheduled with Mike Tyson and Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis, though an official announcement regarding these exhibitions is yet to emerge.

In any case, Pacquiao fully expects to face his old rival later this year, reportedly telling journalist Lance Pugmire that “the fight is on”.

Speaking with ProBox TV, Pugmire recalled his conversation with the Filipino and reported his understanding that Mayweather has agreed to a professional contest.

“Pacquiao reached out to me [on Tuesday] – we talked on WhatsApp, actually – and he said: ‘The fight is on. Floyd has come to the table; everything’s fine. We’re good to go’.

“We know that Floyd always wants things on his terms, so he’s going to ‘formally’ announce it whenever he’s ready to.

“But, according to Pacquiao, they are happy with where they’re at right now with this deal, and having the confirmation from Floyd that the fight is going to be a real fight.”

Mayweather-Pacquiao II moving out of Sphere, to remain in Las Vegas - Official

The Floyd Mayweather Jnr vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch is in the process of shifting the bout from The Sphere in Las Vegas to an MGM-affiliated venue, either T-Mobile Arena or MGM Grand Garden Arena, an official familiar with the switch told Boxing Scene Wednesday.

The individual added that the date for the anticipated follow-up bout to the most lucrative prizefight in history said it may also change, from September 19 to mid-August.

Netflix is streaming the bout that will be contended as a professional match that will count as a win or loss for either Mayweather, 50-0, or Pacquiao, 62-8-3.

“It made no sense to put it at The Sphere – it’s not connected to a casino,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the evolving talks.

In addition to offering ticket packages to high-roller gamblers at its multiple properties along The Strip, MGM routinely stages fight-week events for its frequent run of high-profile boxing cards such as Saturday’s Cinco de Mayo weekend card at T-Mobile Arena.

Officials at Madison Square Garden-owned Sphere and at MGM did not immediately respond to questions on the matter from BS Wednesday.

T-Mobile Arena presently has the iHeart Radio event on its schedule September 19, but the venue is open on August 15 – the window when the official said the bout could be rescheduled.

The official said ticket buyers should avoid any ticket brokers advertising tickets for Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 at The Sphere, saying “it’s one million percent not happening there.”

Mayweather defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision in their first bout in 2015.

Pacquiao, 47, fought Mario Barrios to a draw in July for the WBC welterweight title, and Mayweather, 49, will participate in a June 27 exhibition fight.

IRS alerts Mayweather about passport revocation, jeopardizing exhibitions

Floyd Mayweather’s scheduled June 27 exhibition vs. kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens, Greece, is in jeopardy after the IRS notified him of its intention to revoke his U.S. passport, according to documents reviewed by The Ring.

The IRS informed Mayweather of its intention to notify the Department of State in late March, nearly a month before the boxing legend officially announced the exhibition with the Greek kickboxer on April 23.

The IRS explained to Mayweather that the passport action is related to an unresolved seriously delinquent tax debt.

This comes against the backdrop of the back-and-forth negotiations between Mayweather and his rival, Manny Pacquiao, for a planned Sept. 19 rematch at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Netflix announced the event on Feb. 23 as a professional fight that would count on their records, a return bout more than 11 years after their historic first fight in May 2015.

On March 28, Mayweather claimed it was an exhibition rather than a professional fight and said the venue was undecided. The Ring, however, reviewed documents signed by Mayweather that state it’s a professional fight rather than an exhibition that would take place at The Sphere.

On the April 13 episode of “Inside The Ring,” Pacquiao appeared on set and said, “I wouldn’t fight an exhibition. It’s either a real fight or nothing.”

According to multiple sources, sides for Mayweather and Pacquiao remain engaged in negotiations to finalize the event as a real fight. Sources said the venue will now shift to either MGM Grand Garden Arena or T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Mayweather is 49 while Pacquiao is 47.

Mayweather’s planned exhibition with Mike Tyson also remains in question. On Sept. 4, Mayweather announced he would meet the former heavyweight champion, but no date or location was revealed.

The announced promoter of the Mayweather-Tyson event, CSI Sports, was contracted to stage the event by April 30, per multiple sources. The Tyson camp discussed the Democratic Republic of Congo as the leading site option among other locations, sources said.

An extension to May 30 was agreed to hold the event, per sources, but holding it outside the U.S. would also become problematic given the passport issue.

Mark Taffett, head of CSI Global Live Events, didn't respond to a text message from The Ring seeking comment on the status of the exhibition with Tyson.

Mayweather owes upward of $7.25 million (between tax liens and levies) to the IRS, per the documents reviewed. Among the ways Mayweather can prevent the passport revocation, he can either pay the debt in full; reach an installment agreement or settle with the Department of Justice; establish his tax debt isn't collectible because of financial hardship or the result of being a victim of identity theft; file for bankruptcy.

Multiple attempts made by The Ring to reach Mayweather or an official representative for comment were unsuccessful.

‘This will get worked out’: Stephen Espinoza expects Mayweather vs Pacquiao rematch drama to resolve itself

Stephen Espinoza says despite the drama he thinks Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 will happen.



Former Showtime Sports executive Stephen Espinoza catches up with Fight Hub TV to discuss a number of topics, and most notably touches on his thoughts on Floyd Mayweather’s lawsuit against Showtime. Obviously Espinoza was the man in charge of that side of the network during the relevant time period, and while he couldn’t go into too much detail due to the ongoing litigation, he did have some things to say before explaining that he expects Floyd’s rematch with Manny Pacquiao to eventually get worked out.

Espinoza on Mayweather’s lawsuit against Showtime
“I can’t say too much about it because the lawyers have asked me not to, but obviously Floyd is looking for $340M, which he supposedly discovered 10 years later is missing. I think you can tell my by [skeptical] tone what my thoughts are on that.

“And, look, all I can say is I’m confident in the legal process. I’m confident in what the facts are going to show and I look forward to this playing out in court so everybody can see what is true and exactly where the money went because if you look at how my career has played out — I have spent my career going back to representing both Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, I’ve spent my career making sure fighters are treated fairly and have got compensated fairly and I’ve never done anything but that. And I think the administration I ran at Showtime was one that was very fighter-friendly and I stand by that and my reputation will continue to be that regardless of this lawsuit.”

On whether he thinks the Mayweather vs Pacquiao rematch happens
“I know it’s a bit messy right now and there’s some things that are yet to work out but, look, both fighters seem to want it. We’ve got some time. It’s not as if this is something coming up a week before the fight. So I think with time this will get worked out and I do expect that fight to happen.”

With all due respect to Mayweather and Pacquiao and their abilities as fighters. I've been sick of hearing about these 2 for at least a decade, and sh*t like this right here is why

Floyd Mayweather Jnr-Manny Pacquiao II gets a new date: September 26

The Floyd Mayweather Jnr-Manny Pacquiao rematch is moving its date, too.

Two officials close to the negotiations told Boxing Scene on Thursday night that the rematch of the most lucrative prizefight in history will take place on September 26 on Netflix.

Boxing Scene reported last week that the fight pitting the now 49-year-old Mayweather, 50-0 (27 KOs), and 47-year-old Pacquiao, 62-8-3 (39 KOs), was moving away from The Sphere in Las Vegas, with that Madison Square Garden-owned arena filling the previously scheduled September 19 vacancy with an Eagles concert.

The officials who spoke to Boxing Scene both said Thursday that they expect the rematch to land at MGM Grand, where the 2015 bout won by Mayweather by unanimous decision was staged.

MGM Grand is a favorite venue of Mayweather, and it’s where Pacquiao last year fought then-WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios to a draw.

Mayweather fought at MGM Grand 12 consecutive times, from his 2007 victory over Oscar De La Hoya – in what then stood as the most successful pay-per-view fight of all time – to his 2015 victory over Andre Berto to close a six-fight contract with Showtime.

Mayweather has confronted reported financial issues over the past year. After telling reporters the bout might be an exhibition in March, an agreement to keep it a professional bout that will count as a win or loss on the record was struck.

One of the connected officials confirmed Thursday, “Both camps had agreed already on all the conditions.”

Mayweather says Pacquiao deal almost done, not struggling financially

Floyd Mayweather held a press conference Thursday in Las Vegas at the Mayweather Boxing Club to officially announce his exhibition against Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis on June 27 in Athens.

In addition to promoting the match, two pressing topics Mayweather addressed were his planned fight against Manny Pacquiao and a recent run of unfavorable headlines suggesting he’s in financial trouble.

Mayweather, 49, announced his professional comeback following a nine-year retirement February 20, and three days later, Netflix announced that he’d be facing Pacquiao in a rematch September 19 at Sphere in Las Vegas.

However, the fight has been on the ropes ever since Mayweather said on March 28 that the meeting was an exhibition and not a sanctioned fight, and that the location was up in the air.

“At this particular time, I truly believe that, you know, everybody is gonna want to ask questions about the Pacquiao fight,” said Mayweather.

“We have a lot of new companies, a lot of new faces, and Netflix, I truly believe that we'll get this done. I think we're almost at the finish line to finish the Pacquiao fight. Eventually, I think within the next 48 hours, the Pacquiao fight should be done.”

Exactly when and where the fight will be staged remains to be seen. On Monday, it was announced that the rock band Eagles will now occupy the Sphere on September 19.

After both fighters had already received advance payments, Pacquiao and his team said on the April 13 episode of Inside The Ring that neither the Filipino icon nor Netflix was interested in an exhibition, and that the self-proclaimed GOAT Mayweather was afraid of losing as an April 14 deadline loomed to salvage the fight.

Mayweather then talked generally in regard to how he’s been in constant headlines of late, especially as reports suggest that he’s in financial trouble after earning an estimated $1.15 billion during his undefeated Hall of Fame career.

The IRS filed a $7.3 million lien against Mayweather in March for unpaid taxes in 2018 and 2023. In February, Mayweather sued former broadcast partner Showtime, alleging $340 million in misappropriated funds. Mayweather is also the defendant for several complaints alleging unpaid tabs for jewelry, luxury apartment rentals and private jet services.

On Tuesday, Mayweather dropped a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Business Insider.

“I just want to say thank you to the media,” said Mayweather. “Even though I'm not really on social media, because most of the time I'm at home spending time building generational wealth, helping my children, helping my grandson.

“But just to be able to stay relevant, a part of it is the media. Whether you write a good story or a bad story, you're keeping me relevant. When you keep a guy relevant, the money still flows in. So thank you.

“Negative stories always go a lot further than positive stories. A lie will always go further than the truth. My whole goal is to always stay positive, continue to work hard, and continue to push the next generation to be great, teach them the way, and show them how they should move.”

Mayweather then moved on to build buzz for his exhibition abroad against Zambidis, one week after it was revealed that the IRS had notified Mayweather of its intention to revoke his United States passport.

“It’s great to be able to travel the world, display my skills, and let the people see my artwork, entertain them, and give the people what they want to see, and that's excitement,” said Mayweather.

“Whether it’s an exhibition or a real competition in a sanctioned fight, people still want to be entertained. I took care of my body, and I took my career seriously so that I'm still able to compete 30 years later.

“My job is to go out there and do what I do best.”

Mayweather plans to have an active 2026, including an announced exhibition against Mike Tyson in the Congo. But the originally planned date for April has passed, and very few details have been revealed in recent months.

The event currently stands without a confirmed date, and Mayweather did not address the Tyson event on Thursday.

Sounds like Floyd is still going for exhibition?

Breaking: Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao have agreed to terms on amended deal for professional fight on Netflix being planned for Sept. 25 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur tells The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.

MAYWEATHER, PACQUIAO AGREE TO FIGHT SEPT. 25 IN LAS VEGAS

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have agreed to terms on an amended deal for an official professional fight.

Netflix will stream their rematch on a Friday night, September 25, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur told The Ring on Friday. The rematch was announced by Netflix in February to take place September 19 at Sphere in Las Vegas.

However, Mayweather claimed late in March that it was an exhibition, rather than a professional fight and said the venue was undecided. The Ring subsequently reviewed documents signed by Mayweather that state it’s a professional fight that will count on their records, not an exhibition, that would take place at Sphere.

But even with a signed contract, a fighter can’t be forced to stepped inside the ring. Mayweather therefore had some leverage as he renegotiated the deal for it to count on his pristine 50-0 record.

On the April 13 episode of “Inside The Ring,” the 47-year-old Pacquiao appeared on set and said, “I wouldn’t fight an exhibition. It’s either a real fight or nothing.”

Now, at 49 years old, Mayweather will risk his perfect record against his rival, Pacquiao, in a rematch 11 years after their fight that shattered revenue records that stand today.

Netflix has streamed boxing events on Fridays numerous times, including Jake Paul-Mike Tyson to Anthony Joshua-Paul and Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano 3.

“We never wanted this at The Sphere,” Mathur said. “It didn’t make economic sense for this event to be at The Sphere. Ultimately the parties putting the fight together were insistent. Floyd was able to get it out of The Sphere. Bottom line, we’re making more money.”

Mayweather held a news conference Thursday in Las Vegas to promote an exhibition with Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens. First, Mayweather must work out a plan with the IRS, which notified the legendary boxer of its intent to revoke his passport due to an unresolved debt worth more than $7.25 million, as The Ring reported last week.

Floyd Mayweather Jnr-Manny Pacquiao II subject to more changes

The ongoing tinkering with the Floyd Mayweather Jnr-Manny Pacquiao rematch strayed into an 11th-hour date and site adjustment, placing the Netflix-streamed bout at T-Mobile Arena now on a Friday night, September 25.

Less than 24 hours ago, both Pacquiao and an official close to negotiations told BS the bout – which had been shifted off September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas – was moving to September 26, most likely at MGM Grand.

Yet with T-Mobile Arena offering greater overall and suite-seating capacity, and Netflix boasting prior success with Friday night fight cards topped last year by Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano and Anthony Joshua-Jake Paul, the final move was struck.

“It’s all about the finances and how you can scale the venue for a maximum gate,” said one of the officials who confirmed on Friday the final date and site switch first reported by The Ring Magazine.

While Mayweather adores MGM Grand and fought there 12 consecutive times from his 2007 triumph over Oscar De La Hoya to his final bout against a former boxing titleholder in 2015 versus Andre Berto, he did fight former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor at T-Mobile Arena in 2017.

Mayweather-Pacquiao I, the richest prizefight in history, was also staged at MGM Grand in 2015.

The lengthy wait for that first fight has been mirrored on a lesser scale with the rematch, after Mayweather told reporters in late March the bout would be an exhibition and not count as a loss on his 50-0 record if Pacquiao defeated him.

Multiple signed contracts forced Mayweather to concede it would indeed be a professional fight, exposing him at age 49 to his first career loss against Pacquiao, 47, who fought then-WBC welterweight belt holder Mario Barrios to a draw at MGM Grand in July.

Pacquiao has fought at T-Mobile Arena once, losing a welterweight title fight to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.

MGM is the co-owner and operator of T-Mobile Arena.

“MGM took a look at it, and wants a bigger event,” said another individual connected to the bout who received overnight confirmation of the change.