Eleven years after their record-setting bout that did not live up to the decade of hype preceding it, two of the best boxers from the 2000s era – Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao and Floyd “Money” Mayweather are fighting again on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, with Netflix covering the festivities.
It is a return bout that nobody expected to take plac,e considering the ages of both fighters – Pacquiao is 47 and Mayweather is 49 – and are not that active in the sport they both loved when they were at their peak.
Pac-Man: I want to be the ‘one’ in 50-and-1
In a press conference on Monday, Pac-Man, the former baker-turned-eight-division world champion and lawmaker, was again motivated by the dream of becoming the only boxer who could give Money his first loss after he retired in 2017 with a 50-0 record.
“The fans have waited long enough – they deserve this rematch,” Pacquiao said. “I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him.”
Fifty boxers – including the Filipino ring icon and MMA fighter Conor McGregor – have tried to inflict a first defeat on Mayweather – but all of them failed.
And Pacquiao, who went on the offensive early in their May 2, 2015 bout, but could not solve the shoulder roll and the well-timed punches that Mayweather unleashed en route to a unanimous decision win, pledged to beat the American.
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Money: The result will be the same
Mayweather, eight years removed from his last sanctioned fight, has spent much of his time competing in lucrative boxing “exhibitions” against social media personalities and fringe competitors while living his lavish life outside the ring.
The effect of it was like taking a punch to the gut and being knocked down, as multiple legal disputes over issues ranging from unpaid rent on a Manhattan apartment to outstanding jewelry bills hit him in recent years.
Back again in the boxing ring, he will try to repeat what he did to the Filipino superstar last time out and give him a lesson on who’s technically sound and more tactically superior.
“I already fought and beat Manny once,” Mayweather said in a statement. “This time will be the same result.”
Both have announced exhibition matches before their scheduled clash.
Mayweather will fight 59-year-old former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson this spring, while Pacquiao is slated to lock horns with former world champion Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round exhibition in Las Vegas on April 18.
Another top fight for Netflix
If the two pugilists remain healthy after their exhibition bouts, the rematch is the latest bout to land on Netflix, as the platform continues to scoop up top fights for its live sports programming.
The streamer showcased Terence Crawford’s victory over Canelo Álvarez last year, and will also present heavyweight champ Tyson Fury’s comeback bout in April.
The Sphere venue, which opened in 2023, hosted a UFC show in 2024. UFC President Dana White said the promotion had to pay roughly $20 million to produce that show – about 10 times more than a normal UFC pay-per-view event – because of the venue’s unusual capabilities and requirements.
The clash is a reunion of two generational icons whose contrasting styles helped shape modern boxing.
And the “Fight Capital of the World” will once again become the focus of a monumental rivalry that transcends the sport on September 19.
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