Floyd Mayweather has put a specific timeline on the long-awaited rematch with Manny Pacquiao, telling media in Athens on Thursday that a deal could be finalized within 48 hours as negotiations reach their final stage.
Mayweather made the comments while promoting his upcoming June 27 exhibition against Mike Zambidis at Telekom Center, Athens, at the OAKA Olympic Complex in Greece. Despite being there to discuss a different fight, the Pacquiao question dominated the conversation, and Mayweather was unusually direct about where things stand.
“Well, at this particular time, I truly believe that, I know everybody is going to want to ask questions about the Pacquiao fight. Like I said, the sport of boxing has truly changed. We have a lot of new companies, a lot of new faces, and Netflix. I truly believe that we’ll get this done. I think we’re almost at the finish line to finish the Pacquiao fight, but a lot of things has changed in the sport of boxing and eventually I think within the next 48 hours either the Pacquiao fight should be done.”
The reference to Netflix is significant given the streaming platform’s growing footprint in combat sports. Netflix has already broadcast major boxing events and is set to stream the Mayweather and Pacquiao rematch as part of its expanding live sports portfolio. Mayweather’s framing of the sport’s transformation around new companies and new faces suggests the deal’s final details are being shaped by that shifting commercial landscape rather than traditional pay-per-view structure.
Mayweather and Pacquiao fought previously on May 2, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with Mayweather winning a unanimous decision in one of the highest-grossing pay-per-view events in boxing history. The rematch has been discussed in various forms for years through exhibition talk, public appearances, and speculation, before Netflix’s involvement gave the project the commercial foundation to become a reality.
Pacquiao most recently fought Mario Barrios to a 12-round draw for the WBC welterweight title on July 19 last year in Las Vegas. Mayweather carries his unbeaten 50-0 professional record into the fight. The rematch is expected to take place at either T-Mobile Arena or MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas after being officially moved from The Sphere following the Eagles confirming a September 19 concert at that venue.