Boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to a long-awaited professional rematch, reigniting one of the sport’s most lucrative rivalries more than a decade after their first meeting.
The bout is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September at Sphere in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on Netflix.
Mayweather, 48, confirmed last week that he would come out of retirement for a fourth time. The American last competed in a professional fight in 2017, defeating Conor McGregor via a 10th-round technical knockout in a crossover bout that drew global attention. Since then, he has participated in a series of exhibition contests and is also scheduled to face Mike Tyson later this year.
Pacquiao, 47, retired in 2021 to focus on his political career but returned to the ring last July in a draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, who retained his title. The Filipino icon has amassed 62 wins in 73 professional bouts and remains the only boxer to claim 12 world titles across eight weight classes.
Their first encounter in 2015, dubbed the “Fight of the Century,” remains the richest bout in boxing history. Held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the fight generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and a live gate of $72 million. Mayweather won that contest by wide unanimous decision, extending his undefeated professional record to 50-0, with 27 knockouts.
Details regarding the weight class and number of rounds for the rematch have yet to be confirmed. However, anticipation is already building for what promises to be another global spectacle.
Pacquiao said fans had waited long enough for a second chapter in their rivalry. “Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history,” he said. “The fans deserve this rematch.”
Mayweather was equally confident, stating: “I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result.”
With two of boxing’s most recognisable names returning to the spotlight, the September showdown is poised to deliver not only high drama in the ring but also another massive commercial success. Full details on ticket sales and the undercard are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Melissa Enoch
About the Author
