Boxing fans are poised for a historic rematch as Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Have agreed to face off in a professional bout on Saturday, September 19th, at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The announcement, confirmed by multiple sources including the BBC and the New York Times, marks the first time the two boxing legends will share the ring in 11 years.
The upcoming fight is already generating significant buzz, promising to recapture the excitement of their 2015 encounter – a bout that remains the richest in boxing history. This rematch will be streamed live globally on Netflix, bringing the action to a worldwide audience. Mayweather, 48, is coming out of retirement for the fourth time, having last competed in a professional boxing match in 2017, defeating Conor McGregor by technical knockout. Pacquiao, 47, briefly retired in 2021 to pursue a political career but returned to the ring last year, fighting to a draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
The “Fight of the Century” Revisited
Their first meeting in 2015 was billed as the “Fight of the Century,” and while it generated unprecedented revenue – reportedly $72 million from gate receipts alone and 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, according to ESPN – it also drew criticism for falling short of expectations. Mayweather won that fight by unanimous decision, but Pacquiao later cited a shoulder injury as a contributing factor. Now, Pacquiao is determined to rewrite the outcome.
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history,” Pacquiao stated. “The fans have waited long enough and deserve this rematch. I want to leave the only loss on Floyd’s professional record and I will make sure that he will forever remember who inflicted that loss.”
Mayweather Confident of Another Victory
Mayweather, boasting an undefeated professional record of 50 wins (27 by knockout), remains supremely confident. He dismissed Pacquiao’s challenge, stating, “I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result.” Mayweather also has a scheduled exhibition fight against Mike Tyson this year and expressed his belief that he will continue to generate the highest revenue in the sport. “From the event with Tyson to the next professional fight, no one will generate more gate revenue, more global broadcast viewers, and more money than me,” he said.
The upcoming bout at the Sphere in Las Vegas is set to be the first professional boxing match staged at the venue. Details regarding the weight class and number of rounds have not yet been announced. The event is being promoted by Manny Pacquiao Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in partnership with CSI Sports/Fight Sports, with production handled by EverWonder Studio, Hidden Empire, and Limitless X Holdings.
Skepticism Surrounds the Rematch
Despite the excitement, some observers remain skeptical. BBC reporter Karl Sajjad noted that the 2015 fight “was already too late and fell short of expectations,” and questioned the genuine demand for a rematch in 2026. He also suggested that Mayweather’s undefeated record is the primary driver of interest, characterizing the event as “a match driven by money between two legends to collect a huge prize money.”
The undercard for the September 19th event will be announced at a later date. As both fighters prepare for this highly anticipated clash, the boxing world will be watching to notice if Pacquiao can finally overcome Mayweather and alter the course of boxing history.
What comes next will depend on the outcome of this highly anticipated rematch. Regardless of the result, the fight is sure to generate significant revenue and capture the attention of boxing fans worldwide. Share your thoughts on the upcoming fight in the comments below.
