Boxing Wire

Tag: Manny Pacquiao

  • NSAC Sets New Date For Mayweather-Pacquiao Rematch

    NSAC Sets New Date For Mayweather-Pacquiao Rematch

    The Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch has its first piece of official third-party paperwork, with the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s events calendar now listing Manny Pacquiao Promotions at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, September 25.

    The listing marks the first time a specific date for the long-rumored second meeting has appeared on an official document, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The September 25 date represents a shift from the originally floated plan of Saturday, September 19 at The Sphere, and confirms a move toward an MGM-owned venue.

    A formal announcement of the rematch is not expected before Mayweather completes his exhibition against Greek kickboxing star Mike Zambidis at the OAKA Olympic Complex in Athens on June 27. The Mayweather-Pacquiao announcement is expected to follow once that commitment is fulfilled.

    Mayweather’s professional comeback was unveiled four months ago, ending a nine-year hiatus. Major boxing record sites including BoxRec do not currently list a sanctioned professional bout between the two, and neither is recognized as a reigning world champion. Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record, while Pacquiao remains the only fighter in history to win world titles in eight weight divisions.

    September 25 would mark 11 years since their first meeting.

  • Floyd Mayweather Gives Timeline Update on Manny Pacquiao Fight

    Floyd Mayweather Gives Timeline Update on Manny Pacquiao Fight

    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.

  • Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 Officially Moves Away From Sphere

    Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 Officially Moves Away From Sphere

    Any remaining doubt about Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s rematch leaving The Sphere has been removed, with the Eagles confirming a concert at the venue on September 19, formally closing the door on the fight happening there.

    The move was reported last week by Boxing Scene, with an industry source noting that staging the fight at The Sphere never made logical sense, given the venue’s lack of a casino connection and its high costs.

    That report has now been proven correct by events. The Eagles’ announcement of their September 19 date makes the Sphere unavailable for a fight that was never a natural fit for the location to begin with.

    The rematch is now expected to land at either T-Mobile Arena or MGM Grand Garden Arena, both of which carry the casino integration that promoters and gambling partners require for an event of this commercial scale. A date shift from September 19 to August 15 has also been discussed, with T-Mobile Arena open on that date.

    Mayweather and Pacquiao’s original meeting on May 2, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena generated the highest pay-per-view revenue in boxing history. Mayweather, 49, holds a 50-0 professional record and is booked for a June 27 exhibition against kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens before the Netflix rematch. Pacquiao, 47, is 62-8-3 and most recently fought Mario Barrios to a draw in a WBC welterweight title fight last July.

  • Mayweather-Pacquiao II Moves from Sphere to MGM Venue

    Mayweather-Pacquiao II Moves from Sphere to MGM Venue

    The Mayweather and Pacquiao rematch is leaving The Sphere and moving to an MGM-affiliated venue in Las Vegas, with the date potentially shifting from September to mid-August as well.

    According to an official familiar with the negotiations who spoke to Boxing Scene on condition of anonymity due to evolving talks, the bout will now take place at either T-Mobile Arena or MGM Grand Garden Arena. The casino connection is central to the decision.

    “It made no sense to put it at The Sphere — it’s not connected to a casino.”

    MGM routinely packages tickets with offerings for high-roller gamblers across its multiple Strip properties and stages fight-week events around its high-profile boxing cards, making its venues a more natural fit for a fight of this commercial scale.

    The official also issued a direct warning to fight fans looking for tickets in the secondary market.

    “It’s one million percent not happening there.”

    T-Mobile Arena has an iHeart Radio event booked for September 19, but the venue is open on August 15, which aligns with the potential new date the official referenced. Officials at Madison Square Garden-owned Sphere and MGM did not respond to questions from Boxing Scene.

    The Netflix-streamed bout will count on both fighters’ official records. Floyd Mayweather, 49, went 50-0 in his professional career, while Manny Pacquiao, 47, carries a 62-8-3 record, including a draw against Mario Barrios in July for the WBC welterweight title.

    Their original meeting on May 2, 2015, at MGM Grand Garden Arena generated the highest pay-per-view revenue in boxing history. Mayweather is scheduled for a June 27 exhibition fight before the Netflix bout.

  • Pacquiao Sets Deadline for Mayweather to Honor Pro Fight Contract

    Pacquiao Sets Deadline for Mayweather to Honor Pro Fight Contract

    Manny Pacquiao and his team set an April 14 deadline for Floyd Mayweather to honor the terms of their signed contract for a professional rematch on September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas, streaming on Netflix. Speaking on DAZN’s Inside the Ring, Pacquiao made clear he believes Mayweather’s attempts to rebrand the bout as an exhibition are rooted in fear.

    “I think he’s scared of losing, because that’s his leverage to go around and have exhibition matches,” Pacquiao said. “If that record will ruin, then what else that he can leverage for to go around and have exhibition matches?”

    Contractual Standoff Escalates

    The dispute traces back to late March, when Mayweather told reporters the fight did not have a confirmed venue and called it an exhibition. That contradicted the February announcement by Netflix, which framed the bout as a sanctioned professional rematch with Mayweather’s 50-0 record on the line.

    Pacquiao said he contacted his team immediately.

    “I called Jas right away. What happened? That’s not what we signed, we signed a real fight,” he said. “He’s got his event, he’s announcing this exhibition, blah, blah, blah.”

    Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur backed up his fighter with an aggressive legal posture, confirming that Mayweather had signed multiple contracts and already taken financial advances against his purse, including a loan beyond the initial deposits.

    “I am by far the worst person on the planet to play chicken with,” Mathur said. “So, we’re not blinking. These are the contracts. They’re signed. He’s notarized the loan docs.”

    Pacquiao Confident Fight Will Happen

    Despite the standoff, Pacquiao told ESPN he remains “100% confident” the fight proceeds as planned. He pointed to the financial commitments already in place as proof neither side can walk away.

    “We both signed the contract and we both got our advance on our purses, so there’s no way we’re going to cancel this fight,” Pacquiao told ESPN. “Even with our first fight, he’s a lot to deal with, but the fight happened.”

    According to previous reporting on the dispute, Mayweather could face eight- or nine-figure damages if he breaches the agreement. Mathur told the Las Vegas Review-Journal the penalties are “quite substantial.”

    Pacquiao, 47, returned from a four-year retirement last year, fighting then-WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios to a draw. Mayweather, 49, has not competed professionally since stopping Conor McGregor in 2017 but has remained active on the exhibition circuit. Their first meeting in 2015 generated 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, the most in boxing history.

    Mathur said discussions between the two camps are ongoing and expressed optimism.

    “We are 100% confident that the overall outcome from this situation will turn out positive,” Mathur told ESPN earlier this week. “Floyd has to live up to his obligations, and I think he wants this fight to happen, too.”

  • Manny Pacquiao Finalizes Team Boxing League Franchise Ownership

    Manny Pacquiao Finalizes Team Boxing League Franchise Ownership

    Manny Pacquiao has officially finalized his ownership stake in the Team Boxing League, signing a deal that makes him and Manny Pacquiao Promotions part of the ownership group for the San Diego TJ’s franchise.

    The announcement, made on April 13, formalizes a relationship first revealed in February when Pacquiao was named TBL’s league ambassador for the 2026 season. That initial agreement outlined a phased entry: ambassador role in 2026, followed by ownership and active competition beginning in 2027.

    The partnership is described as a nine-figure commitment focused on long-term growth and global expansion of the league’s team-based model.

    “This is not just about fighting anymore,” Pacquiao said. “This is a new chapter in my life. I have accomplished everything I wanted in boxing, and now I want to build something bigger than myself.”

    What Is Team Boxing League?

    TBL operates 12 city-based franchises across major U.S. markets. The format features male and female boxers competing in single-round bouts across multiple weight classes, with results tallied on a team scoring system. State-licensed judges score each round, and the cumulative totals determine the winning team.

    The league launched in 2023 and opened its 2026 season (Season 4) in March. The San Diego TJ’s are an expansion franchise that will begin competition in 2027 as part of a broader global expansion.

    For Pacquiao, 47, the format offers a path to stay active without enduring traditional 12-round fights. He plans to serve as the team’s captain and compete as a fighter through at least 2029, with a stated goal of boxing until he turns 50.

    Pacquiao’s Role Beyond the Ring

    Through Manny Pacquiao Promotions, Pacquiao will also help expand TBL internationally, using his global reach to attract new audiences and partnerships across sports, media, and entertainment.

    “This isn’t just Manny coming back to fight, this is Manny building an empire around boxing,” said Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions.

    TBL CEO Kevin Cassidy framed the signing as validation of the league’s model. “Bringing in a global icon like Manny Pacquiao as an owner validates our vision of transforming boxing into a true league model,” Cassidy said.

    The announcement comes at a busy time for Pacquiao, who is also pushing for his September rematch with Floyd Mayweather to be sanctioned as a professional bout. That fight, set for the Sphere in Las Vegas, has been the subject of back-and-forth between the two camps over whether it will be an exhibition or a sanctioned contest.

    San Diego’s large Filipino-American population makes the franchise a natural fit for Pacquiao. The city is home to over 200,000 residents of Filipino heritage, and Mayor Todd Gloria is the first Filipino-American mayor of a major U.S. city.

  • Manny Pacquiao Confirms Floyd Mayweather Rematch as Pro Fight

    Manny Pacquiao Confirms Floyd Mayweather Rematch as Pro Fight

    Manny Pacquiao confirmed Tuesday that Floyd Mayweather has formally agreed their September 19 rematch will be a professional fight, putting Mayweather’s undefeated 50-0 record at risk. The bout is scheduled to stream on Netflix at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

    “The fight is on,” Pacquiao texted BoxingScene after Mayweather told reporters in late March the bout would be an exhibition. The confirmation came after Pacquiao’s camp set an end-of-business Tuesday deadline for Mayweather to clarify the fight’s status.

    Contractual Dispute Resolved

    According to the Pacquiao camp, Mayweather had signed multiple contracts designating the bout as a legitimate professional match and had already taken cash advances on those agreements. Jas Mathur, president of Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, told “Inside the Ring” on Monday that Mayweather faced potential repercussions from Pacquiao, Netflix and others if he failed to confirm his participation in a professional bout.

    Pacquiao, 62-8-3 (39 KOs), addressed Mayweather directly in a recent interview with BoxingScene. “You need to honor your commitment,” the 47-year-old said. “This time, there’s no reason for alibis or excuses.”

    Rematch 11 Years in Making

    Mayweather, 50-0 (27 KOs), defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision in their first meeting in 2015 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. That bout remains the richest prizefight in boxing history.

    Pacquiao returned to professional boxing last year at age 47, fighting then-WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios to a draw. The performance revived discussions of a second showdown with the 49-year-old Mayweather.

    Pacquiao has spent April promoting the event, appearing at multiple sporting events including throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. Venue arrangements for The Sphere are still being finalized.

    H/T: Boxing Scene

  • Manny Pacquiao’s Return Plans Remain In Doubt

    Manny Pacquiao’s Return Plans Remain In Doubt

    Manny Pacquiao’s 2026 fight plans are facing increasing uncertainty as a previously announced bout appears to be in jeopardy. The status of the fight has become unclear in recent weeks.

    A couple of months ago, reports surfaced that Pacquiao would compete in a professional bout at The Sphere in Las Vegas. However, confusion has recently emerged as Mayweather instead stated that the contest will be an exhibition, his third of the year, due to scheduled bouts against Mike Tyson and Mike Zambidis.

    Current Status Unknown

    The uncertainty surrounding Pacquiao’s next fight comes as the Filipino boxing legend has not appeared in current world rankings or championship listings. Pacquiao was hopeful to keep active with an April 18th exhibition against former WBO super-lightweight world champion, Ruslan Provodnikov.

    Speaking with World Boxing News, Provodnikov’s manager Vadim Kornilov stated that he was unclear as to whether the fight was happening or not.

    “Unfortunately I heard nothing. I don’t have any update on whether the fight is happening or not.”

    “I am waiting on an update this week. I have not heard anything concrete up to date,”

    The lack of concrete information has left fans and media questioning whether the previously reported bout will materialize. Neither Pacquiao’s team nor potential opponents have provided recent updates on the fight’s status.

    Pacquiao, who has remained one of boxing’s most recognizable figures, has not competed in a professional bout recently. Any return to the ring would generate significant interest across the boxing world.