Floyd Mayweather Jr. & Manny Pacquiao
Boxing icons, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to a professional rematch, with the long-awaited showdown scheduled for September 19, at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
The bout, which will be streamed live on Netflix, marks Mayweather’s return to professional boxing for the first time since his 2017 victory over mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor. The American, 48, announced last week that he would be coming out of retirement once again.
Pacquiao, 47, stepped away from boxing in 2021 to focus on his political career but returned to the ring in July, fighting WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a draw.
The pair first faced off in 2015 in what was dubbed the “Fight of the Century” — still the richest bout in boxing history. On that night in Las Vegas, Mayweather claimed a dominant unanimous decision victory. The contest generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and a live gate of $72 million at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Pacquiao believes fans deserve a sequel. “The fans have waited long enough. They deserve this rematch,” he said, adding that he hopes to hand Mayweather the only loss of his professional career.
Mayweather, unbeaten at 50-0 with 27 knockouts, dismissed the threat, insisting the outcome will mirror their first encounter.
Details of the undercard and ticket sales are expected to be released in the coming weeks.