Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather pictured throughout their combat in Las Vegas, US on Could 3, 2015. — Reuters
LOS ANGELES: Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will meet in a long-awaited rematch of the highest-grossing conflict in boxing historical past this September on the Sphere in Las Vegas, Netflix introduced Monday.
The bout between two of boxing’s greatest names — who famously fought a blockbuster conflict in 2015, and are actually each of their late forties — comes days after Mayweather introduced he’s popping out of retirement.
Will probably be broadcast dwell September 19 on Netflix, as the worldwide streaming platform more and more strikes into dwell sports activities with glitzy one-off occasions.
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history. The fans have waited long enough — they deserve this rematch,” stated Pacquiao, 47, in a joint assertion.
Mayweather beat fellow welterweight Pacquiao of their money-spinning 2015 “Fight of the Century,” which generated a file 4.6 million pay-per-view buys however largely did not dwell as much as the hype.
Mayweather is believed to have earned an estimated $300 million from the unanimous factors victory over the Filipino icon, which stays essentially the most profitable combat in historical past and generated greater than $600 million income.
Former multi-weight world champion Mayweather retired from boxing in 2017, unbeaten in 50 bouts, although he has continued to combat in exhibitions since, together with an upcoming conflict this spring with Mike Tyson.
Pacquaio, additionally a a number of world champion, retired for a four-year interval from 2021 by which he unsuccessfully ran for the Philippine presidency. He got here out of retirement final yr.
One loss
Rumours of a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch have circulated for years, and hypothesis soared following Mayweather´s announcement final week that he would return to the skilled enviornment this yr.
“I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result,” stated Mayweather, within the assertion.
“I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him,” stated Pacquiao.
The conflict would be the first-ever skilled boxing match to happen at Sphere, a venue primarily used for concert events and movies which opened in 2023 and options an immersive 160,000-square-foot wraparound display on its curved inside partitions.
Manny Pacquiao reacts after shedding to Floyd Mayweather, Jr in Las Vegas, US on Could 3, 2015. — Reuters
Will probably be proven globally on Netflix, which boasts some 325 million subscribers.
The streamer has not too long ago elevated its sports activities choices, with an excellent middleweight conflict between Terence Crawford and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Las Vegas final September considered by 41 million individuals.
It additionally aired divisive fights pitting YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in opposition to a 58-year-old Tyson in November 2024, and versus Anthony Joshua final December.
Each had been criticised for proving to be lackluster contests, however drew huge international consideration.
Glory
Nicknamed “Money”, former multi-weight world champion Mayweather was as soon as the world’s highest-paid athlete. His final skilled bout passed off in 2017 in opposition to UFC star Conor McGregor.
The 48-year-old American has lengthy been a controversial determine, usually criticised for an excessively defensive type, and accused by a few of dodging essentially the most harmful opponents merely to brighten his file.
Mayweather has additionally hung out in jail for considered one of a string of home violence incidents.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr poses together with his title belts after defeating Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, US on Could 3, 2015. — Reuters
Pacquaio identified at residence as “The National Fist” and extra broadly as “PacMan,” is an eight-division world champion.
He’s beloved within the Philippines for his rags-to-riches story, having dropped out of highschool at 14, promoting donuts on the roadside and dealing as a grocery stacker.
Pacquaio, having already served as a Philippines senator from 2016, retired for a four-year interval from 2021 by which he tried and did not win the nation´s prime political workplace.
The diminutive southpaw got here out of retirement final yr. He was held to a draw by Mario Barrios, placing his skilled file at 62-8-3.
“As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bringing glory to the Philippines,” stated Pacquiao.
