Boxing icons Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to a professional rematch scheduled for Saturday, 19 September at the Sphere in Las Vegas, with the bout set to be broadcast live on Netflix.
Pacquiao, 47, and Mayweather, 48, will meet more than a decade after their first encounter in 2015, a contest widely billed as the Fight of the Century and still regarded as the richest fight in boxing history. On that occasion, Mayweather secured a comprehensive unanimous decision victory in Las Vegas.
Mayweather recently confirmed he would come out of retirement for a fourth time. His last professional bout came in 2017 when he defeated Conor McGregor by 10th round technical knockout. Since then, he has taken part in several exhibition contests.
Pacquiao stepped away from boxing in 2021 to concentrate on his political career but returned to the ring in July last year against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. That fight ended in a draw, allowing Barrios to retain his title.
Details regarding the number of rounds and weight division for the rematch have not yet been confirmed. Pacquiao, who has won 12 world titles across eight weight classes, expressed his determination to rewrite history.
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history.
“The fans have waited long enough. They deserve this rematch.
“I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him.”
Mayweather, who boasts a perfect 50-0 professional record with 27 knockouts, dismissed the suggestion that the outcome will change.
“I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result.”
Mayweather is also scheduled to face Mike Tyson in a separate event later this year. Tyson, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, returned to action in November after a 19 year retirement, losing in a controversial bout to Jake Paul.
Announcing his latest comeback, Mayweather said: “From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards: no-one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event than my events.”
Their 2015 clash generated a record 4.6 million pay per view buys and a live gate of $72m at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Further details about ticket sales and the undercard for the September rematch are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
