The Rematch Between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao: Will It Happen?
The rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the legendary duo of boxing, may soon take place, reminiscent of their famous fight in 2015 that generated half a billion dollars. However, there is a key factor that needs to be decided before anything can happen, and this entirely depends on a Japanese MMA organization.
Both fighters officially retired in 2017 (Mayweather) and 2021 (Pacquiao), but they continue to participate in exhibition matches around the world. Now, at ages 47 and 45, they could reunite for a fight. Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the producer of Rizin, stated, “I wouldn’t be surprised if something happens in these days, so the possibility is still there. We still have a good relationship with Floyd, but he has no intention of returning to actual competitive fights.”
While Mayweather seems uninterested in rematching in an unofficial fight, Pacquiao has shown a clear interest. Sakakibara emphasized that everything depends on timing. When everything aligns perfectly, the rematch will certainly take place.
Who Will Be Manny Pacquiao’s Next Opponent?
Since 2023, Pacquiao and his team have discussed a rematch with Mayweather, but no agreement has been reached yet. Meanwhile, Mayweather has scheduled a fight against John Gotti III on August. Pacquiao is also preparing to face former kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo in Tokyo.
Despite these fights, the possibility of Pacquiao returning to professional boxing might still be on the horizon. The WBC has proposed an opportunity for him to face Marrio Barrios. Sakakibara said, “Depending on the outcome and his performance in the upcoming fight, we need to assess the market to see if his return makes sense. This is a one-fight deal, so if we want him back, we need to ensure there is market demand.”
Thus, while both Mayweather and Pacquiao remain active in the boxing scene, their return in a rematch will depend on various factors, particularly the consensus among stakeholders and the current market.
