What to know about Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao rematch

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will reunite for a rematch more than 11 years after their initial clash in May 2015, taking place on September 19 at Sphere in Las Vegas, with streaming available on Netflix.

This will be Mayweather’s first official fight since defeating Conor McGregor in August 2017, while Pacquiao has been much more active, competing eight times since their initial matchup, earning a record of 5-2-1.

Turning 49 today, Mayweather confirmed last September that he would be facing Mike Tyson, 59, in an exhibition bout scheduled for Spring 2026. Pacquiao, aged 47, retired after a decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 but returned last July to fight then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, resulting in a majority draw. He is also set for an exhibition against former champion Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18 in Las Vegas.

even with both fighters being past their prime, the rematch holds the potential for more excitement than their first bout. After losing by unanimous decision in 2015, Pacquiao revealed that he had sustained a shoulder injury during his training, affecting his performance.

“What people need to understand is that this is not an exhibition, this is a real fight,” expressed Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, to ESPN on Monday. “No one wants to see Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao in an exhibition. Fans are eager to see these competitive fighters go head-to-head for a victory. The crux of the event is that it is a bona fide fight, not an exhibition.”

Here’s an overview of why this fight is taking place now and what fans can anticipate from this long-anticipated rivalry.

Why are Mayweather and Pacquiao fighting again now?

although Mayweather and Pacquiao have reached ages 49 and 47, respectively, the boxing world has seen significant changes that make a rematch a decade after their first encounter more intriguing than it previously appeared.

Jake Paul plays a significant role in this shift.

Paul’s matchup with Mike Tyson in 2024 attracted an astonishing 108 million live global viewers on Netflix. This immense interest in watching a YouTuber-turned-boxer face a then-58-year-old former heavyweight champion has opened doors for similar events, where fighters can retain significant earnings without depending on pay-per-view sales.

Previously, convincing audiences for a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch following their initial confrontation in 2015 was challenging. even if it broke numerous pay-per-view and gate records, the fight itself was disappointing, as Mayweather cruised to a straightforward unanimous decision. Pacquiao sought a rematch, but Mayweather had no necessity for one, retiring two years later after facing McGregor.

In the fall, Mayweather announced he would come out of retirement for an exhibition against Tyson in April, subsequently reversing his earlier stance on a potential Pacquiao rematch. The driving force behind this change is primarily the substantial financial opportunity the fight represents, along with the fact that it’s a safe route for Mayweather to earn a large paycheck without jeopardizing his unblemished record against a young fighter.

With Netflix firmly grounded in combat sports—having successfully aired Paul vs. Tyson last year, and further securing a planned match between retired MMA champions Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano—Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 aims for unprecedented success.

Though both boxers are nearing 50, their names still have considerable impact. Netflix’s promotional push will ensure the fight reaches maximum viewership, making it the most significant boxing event of the year.

What happened the last time Mayweather and Pacquiao fought?

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 1 occurred about five years later than anticipated due to several stalled negotiations centered around drug testing and purse distribution. During this delay, Pacquiao transitioned from an unstoppable force to a vulnerable veteran, experiencing a surprising decision defeat to Timothy Bradley Jr. and a shocking knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in their four-fight series. By the time Mayweather and Pacquiao finally faced off in 2015, it was clear Mayweather remained at a high performance level, with wins over Canelo Alvarez and two victories against Marcos Maidana, while Pacquiao wasn’t quite the powerhouse he had been from 2005 to 2011. Nevertheless, the buildup created undeniable excitement, culminating in a record-breaking event that set multiple records, including a $72.2 million gate and $410 million in revenue from 4.6 million pay-per-view buys. The fight itself was dominated by Mayweather, who delivered a classic performance, employing a sharp jab to control the match from the outset, resulting in scorecards of 118-110, 116-112, and 116-112.

Post-fight, Pacquiao stated that a shoulder injury he sustained during training impacted his performance, leading him to push for a rematch— a request that remained unfulfilled until now.

What can we expect from the rematch?

It’s challenging to predict the outcome. Mayweather hasn’t faced a significant opponent with real boxing credentials since Andre Berto in 2015. In the years since, he has boxed against an MMA fighter (McGregor), participated in exhibitions with YouTubers (Logan Paul and Deji Olatunji), a reality TV figure (Aaron Chalmers), the grandson of a famous mobster (John Gatti III), a boxing journeyman (Don Moore), and a kickboxer (Tenshin Nasukawa). While he’s maintained excellent physical fitness, age could influence his performance.

Conversely, Pacquiao has had a more active career, achieving victories over Adrien Broner, Keith Thurman, Lucas Matthysse, Jessie Vargas, and Bradley since his loss to Mayweather. He has also faced defeats against Jeff Horn and Yordenis Ugas, with his last fight resulting in a majority draw against Barrios. Though he is not the rapid-fire puncher he once was, Pacquiao remains in remarkable shape at 47.

Neither fighter will be in their physical prime; however, their comparable ages could result in a competitive fight. If Mayweather retains the defensive genius and clever ring strategy he had in their initial match, the bout could be uneventful again. Yet, if Pacquiao’s assertions about an injured shoulder impacting his initial performance hold any truth, he may deliver a more robust offensive approach this time around.

Will there be drug testing for this fight?

Currently, there is no information regarding drug testing protocols for the fight. ESPN has reached out to the Nevada State Athletic Commission for clarification and is awaiting a response.

Who’s promoting this fight?

The event will be co-promoted by Manny Pacquiao Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, along with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS, which established a multi-year partnership with Mayweather when he announced his return to professional boxing.

Have there been any other sporting events at Sphere?

The $2.3 billion entertainment venue near the Las Vegas Strip, known for its spherical architecture and exceptional audio-visual features, has primarily hosted concerts since its opening in 2023. but, the UFC held its Noche UFC pay-per-view event there on September 14, 2024, which featured a championship match between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. UFC CEO Dana White reported production costs exceeding $20 million for the event, stating it was a “one and done.” To this date, it stands as the only sports event conducted at Sphere.

Where will this fight rank in revenue, and what will the purses be?

Details about the fighters’ earnings and contract structures remain undisclosed and may take time to emerge. but, the Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 bout has the potential to shatter records for the most-viewed sporting event ever, currently held by Paul’s fight against Tyson with 108 million global viewers. plus, the rematch could challenge the staggering gate receipts of their prior encounter.

Mayweather-Pacquiao 1 still retains the title for the largest Las Vegas gate in boxing history, generating $72.2 million. Mayweather also ranks second with $55.4 million in ticket sales from his bout against McGregor.

Regarding purses, Mayweather is reported to have earned between $200-$250 million for their initial contest, while “PacMan” pocketed roughly $120-$150 million. Their earnings could potentially fall in a similar range due to the anticipated high price of tickets. The UFC’s event in Sphere saw ticket prices fluctuate between $674 to over $44,000, with the average around $1,000-$3,000. Meanwhile, Mayweather-Pacquiao 1’s ticket price ranged from $1,500 to $7,500 but skyrocketed in secondary markets, with some floor seats fetching over $22,000.

briefly, a substantial financial opportunity awaits for this impending matchup.