Boxing: Pacquiao, Mayweather Set For Blockbuster Rematch

Boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have reportedly agreed to a professional rematch this September, a bout set to captivate fans eight years after their initial “Fight of the Century.”

The highly anticipated encounter between Pacquiao, 47, and Mayweather, who turns 49 on Tuesday, will take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday, 19th September, and will be broadcast live on Netflix.

Mayweather, a former world champion, announced last week that he would be coming out of retirement for the fourth time. This will mark his first professional fight since his tenth-round technical knockout victory over MMA star Conor McGregor in 2017.

Filipino icon Pacquiao, who retired from the sport in 2021 to focus on his political career, made a return to the ring last July. He faced WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, with the title remaining with Barrios after the fight ended in a draw.

Their first clash in 2015 was billed as the ‘Fight of the Century’ and remains the most lucrative in boxing history. Mayweather emerged victorious, securing a wide unanimous decision win over Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

Details regarding the number of rounds and the weight class for the rematch are yet to be confirmed.

Pacquiao, a remarkable twelve-time world champion across eight weight divisions, stated: “Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history. The fans have waited long enough. They deserve this rematch. I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him.”

Mayweather, boasting an undefeated professional record of 50 wins, with 27 by knockout, commented: “I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result.”

Since his retirement in 2017, Mayweather has participated in a series of exhibition bouts and is scheduled to face Mike Tyson this year. That particular fight will be Tyson’s first since ending his 19-year retirement in November with a controversial defeat to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Announcing his return to professional boxing on Saturday, Mayweather declared: “From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards: no-one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event than my events.”

Pacquiao, who holds a record of 62 wins from 73 bouts, hinted in October that a rematch was close, contingent on him and Mayweather being able to “understand each other.”

Their initial meeting in 2015 generated an unprecedented 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and a record live gate of $72m at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Further details regarding the undercard and ticket availability are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.