Pacquiao is willing to fight Mayweather again
MANNY “PACMAN” PACQUIAO – The former world champion has disclosed his intention to have a rematch with his American rival, Floyd Mayweather Jr., in 2024.
During an appearance at Rizin 45 in Japan, Pacquiao, who signed with Rizin in April 2019, made the announcement alongside Rizin chief executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara. In a video posted on Rizin’s social media accounts, Sakakibara asked Pacquiao, “Can you please fight Floyd Mayweather next year?”
Expressing gratitude for the invitation, Pacquiao responded, “Thank you so much for inviting me here again. I’m sorry for the last time that we promised we were going to fight this year, but as Sakakibara explained, this year I will see you here in Japan again with a big fight against…”
Pacquiao paused, and Sakakibara completed the sentence, “Floyd Mayweather.” “Yeah,” Pacquiao acknowledged. “I thought you didn’t want me to say that. But I’m excited for that. Thank you for always supporting Rizin, and thank you, Sakakibara-san.”
While no further details were provided, the anticipated rematch is a significant development. To recall, Mayweather and Pacquiao had a famous showdown in May 2015, billed as the “Fight of the Century,” which Mayweather won via unanimous decision, maintaining his perfect record and generating record-breaking revenues.
Although both fighters have retired from professional boxing, they have engaged in exhibition matches. Mayweather, with 10 exhibition bouts and a record of three wins and one no-contest, last fought John Gotti III on June 11, 2023, in a bout stopped in the sixth round due to a brawl.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, had one exhibition bout against YouTuber DK Yoo in December 2022, Meanwhile, the nature of the planned Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch, whether an exhibition or a full-fledged professional showdown, is yet to be revealed.
