Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao are to meet in a long-awaited rematch of the highest-grossing clash in boxing history in September at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Netflix announced on Monday.
The bout between two of boxing’s biggest names — who famously fought a blockbuster clash in 2015, and are now both in their late 40s — comes days after Mayweather announced he is coming out of retirement.
It is to be broadcast live on Sept. 19 on Netflix, as the global streaming platform increasingly moves into live sports with glitzy one-off events.
Photo: AP
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history. The fans have waited long enough, they deserve this rematch,” Pacquiao, 47, said in a joint statement.
Mayweather beat fellow welterweight Pacquiao in their money-spinning 2015 “Fight of the Century,” which generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, but largely failed to live up to the hype.
Mayweather is believed to have earned an estimated US$300 million from the unanimous points victory over the Filipino icon, which remains the most lucrative fight in history and generated more than US$600 million of revenue.
Former multi-weight world champion Mayweather retired from boxing in 2017, unbeaten in 50 bouts, although he has continued to fight in exhibitions since, including an upcoming clash this spring with Mike Tyson.
Pacquaio, also a multiple world champion, retired for a four-year period from 2021 in which he unsuccessfully ran for the Philippine presidency. He came out of retirement last year.
Rumors of a rematch have circulated for years, and speculation soared following Mayweather’s announcement last week that he would return to the professional arena this year.
“I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result,” Mayweather said in the statement.
“I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him,” Pacquiao said.
The clash is to be the first-ever professional boxing match to take place at the Sphere, a venue primarily used for concerts and films which opened in 2023 and features an immersive wraparound screen on its curved interior walls.
It is to be shown globally on Netflix, which boasts about 325 million subscribers.
The streamer has increased its sports offerings, with a super middleweight clash between Terence Crawford and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Las Vegas in September last year viewed by 41 million people.
It also aired divisive fights pitting YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul against a 58-year-old Tyson in November 2024, and versus Anthony Joshua in December last year.
Both were criticized for proving to be lackluster contests, but drew enormous global attention.
Nicknamed “Money,” Mayweather was once the world’s highest-paid athlete. His last professional bout took place in 2017 against UFC star Conor McGregor.
The 48-year-old American has long been a controversial figure, often criticized for an overly defensive style, and accused by some of dodging the most dangerous opponents simply to embellish his record.
Mayweather has also spent time in prison for one of a string of domestic violence incidents.
Pacquaio known at home as “The National Fist” and more broadly as “PacMan,” is an eight-division world champion.
He is beloved in the Philippines for his rags-to-riches story, having dropped out of high school at 14, selling donuts on the roadside and working as a grocery stacker.
Pacquaio, having already served as a Philippines senator from 2016, retired for a four-year period from 2021 in which he tried and failed to win the nation’s top political office.
The diminutive southpaw came out of retirement last year. He was held to a draw by Mario Barrios, putting his professional record at 62-8-3.
“As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bringing glory to the Philippines,” Pacquiao said.
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