Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are fighting: Is this 2011?

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao revealed on Monday that they will square off on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, with the fight airing globally on Netflix.

This would have been exciting … in 2011.

Instead, we are presented with what seems like a cash grab rooted in nostalgia—mostly for what never materialized. It is both disheartening and indicative of boxing’s current condition, emphasizing that even after enjoying two prosperous and remarkable careers, both fighters apparently require money this desperately.

Mayweather is now 49 years old; Pacquiao is 47. Over a decade ago, in their primes, they should have clashed two or three times, crafting a series or trilogy for the ages; two of the greatest fighters ever meeting to determine the top contender of their generation.

The fierce offensive style of Pacquiao against the tactical brilliance of Mayweather. It could have been like the epic battles of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Boxing enthusiasts eagerly anticipated it, debated endlessly, and begged for it to occur. yet, a mix of politics, caution, accusations, and who knows what else prevented it from happening between 2010 and 2012.

They finally met in 2015, with Mayweather earning a unanimous decision over Pacquiao in a rather lackluster encounter. The bout broke box-office records due to the pent-up demand, even though Pacquiao had already begun to decline significantly.

Now we are set for a sequel to a poorly received film. This isn’t even “Caddyshack II.” At least the original was a classic.

“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history,” Pacquiao stated on Monday. “The fans have waited long enough—they deserve this rematch.”

“Biggest” in terms of unsuspecting fans investing money in what they hoped to see, not what they actually witnessed. As for boxing enthusiasts, they don’t deserve this—haven’t they endured enough? Few, if any, were clamoring for a rematch.

The first fight reportedly generated at least $400 million, yet despite that lucrative payday, and all other earnings throughout their careers, both fighters are still in need. Mayweather supposedly earned around $1 billion in his career but was reportedly sued earlier this month by a jeweler in Miami for bouncing checks on a claimed $1.675 million shopping spree (15 gold watches, 26 luxury watches).

This is likely the motivation not only for this bout but also for an even more absurd exhibition match with 59-year-old Mike Tyson scheduled for April 25 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mayweather doesn’t need 26 Rolexes to realize that time is running out.

At its finest, there is nothing quite like a thrilling prizefight—the anticipation, the risk, the buildup. It’s instinctual and has captured audiences for centuries.

yet, what the sport has devolved into is make-believe, with too few breakout stars and genuine matches. This has led to a surplus of circus acts pretending to be the real deal, which sell an illusion but fail to deliver once the bell rings.

There are still remarkable moments, but the top fighters today have struggled to gain recognition, especially in the United States.

Oleksandr Usyk, the unbeaten heavyweight champion and ESPN’s top pound-for-pound fighter, remains relatively unknown outside boxing circles, with his bouts primarily taking place in Europe and Saudi Arabia. No. 2 Naoya Inoue is an explosive junior featherweight—a four-division champion—but shares the same issue, largely competing in Japan, where he enjoys immense popularity. Terence “Bud” Crawford has retired. Canelo Alvarez is nearing the end of his career. If anything, it’s the women’s division featuring Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, and Amanda Serrano that has been impressive.

In the U.S., Jake Paul has cleverly filled the void, catering to the market for major fights—and even putting himself at risk. While the commercial success and much-needed attention it generates is notable, that isn’t boxing at its peak.

The allure of combat sports has always depended on the emergence and decline of stars with big personalities. Boxing has weathered dry spells before, but there’s always hope for a wave of fresh talent, charisma, and rivalries. Lately, however, the decline has felt more pronounced. The systems for turning fighters into household names have weakened. There are now countless alternative entertainment choices.

The most disappointing aspect of Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 isn’t that it is actually happening, but that it can happen due to the lack of engaging fights or must-see fighters, leading to such a brazen spectacle.

It’s unfortunate that the sport cannot present the Sphere and Netflix with something authentic.

Instead, we are served a sequel that nobody requested, emerging from an original that arrived too late, featuring two middle-aged men who seem to have depleted enough of their fortunes that, like the sport they once excelled in, have run out of options.