Manny Pacquiao says he wants to hand Floyd Mayweather his first loss, chasing the kind of ending Juan Manuel Marquez secured in their rivalry.

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao II is set for Sept 19 at Sphere in Las Vegas, with Mayweather’s 50-0 record back in play.

Floyd Mayweather will fight long-time rival Manny Pacquiao in a professional rematch in September, 11 years on from their original showdown. On Friday night, Mayweather revealed that he will be steppi...

Kermit Cintron, a former world champion, has called on Miguel Cotto to return for a co-feature bout as speculation builds that Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao II could take place in 2026. Cintron, a former IBF welterweight champion, was once linked to a fight with Cotto during their prime, but the long-discussed matchup never came to fruition. A winner-take-all unification was planned for July 26, 2008, in which the victor of Cintron vs. Antonio Margarito would have met the winner of Cotto vs. Alfonso Gomez. However, Margarito’s stoppage victory over Cintron in their rematch ended the potential clash before it ever reached the table. Now, nearly two decades later, Cintron has urged Cotto to join him on the same card as Mayweather and Pacquiao’s potential rematch. This move would reunite prominent names from boxing’s golden era of welterweights. Mayweather vs Pacquiao II Still Not Confirmed As WBN previously reported, a sequel to Mayweather vs Pacquiao — the richest fight in boxing history — remains far from finalized despite new rumors swirling this month. WBN has repeatedly reported that while both camps have maintained open communication for years, no formal deal has ever been signed. Multiple offers have been tabled since 2020, including a high-profile Saudi proposal to stage the bout in Diriyah, followed by later discussions to move it to Riyadh. Those plans never reached completion. More recently, efforts to bring the rematch to Netflix have also faced hurdles, with Mayweather pursuing a separate exhibition project involving Mike Tyson — and with Jake Paul already occupying one of Netflix’s limited annual combat sports slots. Pacquiao Ready, Mayweather Hesitant Pacquiao, now 46, has publicly stated he’s ready to fight Mayweather again following his controversial draw with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. “If he signs the contract, we can fight,” Pacquiao told reporters. “I’m active now, and I’ll fight anyone in my weight division.” Mayweather, meanwhile, has remained non-committal, focusing on exhibitions and business ventures outside the professional boxing circuit. His reluctance to risk his 50–0 record remains the single biggest obstacle to the rematch being an official bout rather than an exhibition. Legacy Stakes and Nostalgia Factor If the fight does go ahead, 2026 would mark 11 years since the Fight of the Century, which generated over $600 million in revenue and shattered every existing PPV record. Even so, the logistical challenges and the massive financial package required to lure Mayweather back into a sanctioned contest make the rematch a problematic proposition. For now, boxing fans can only wait. Whether it’s a professional sequel or a lucrative exhibition, Mayweather vs Pacquiao II remains an enticing “what if” — and the idea of Cotto and Cintron sharing the undercard adds another layer of nostalgia to the sport’s most lucrative rivalry. World Boxing News will continue to track developments as the story unfolds. About the Author Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.

Reports have reignited hopes for a Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao rematch — a decade after the richest fight in boxing history. However, World Boxing News understands that the proposed sequel is far from a done deal despite renewed speculation in recent days. WBN has first-hand knowledge of several past attempts to resurrect Mayweather vs Pacquiao II, including a 2020 offer from Saudi Arabia to stage the bout in Diriyah, followed by subsequent discussions to move it to Riyadh in the two years that followed. Sources close to the talks confirm that while interest never completely faded, no finalized agreement has ever been reached. Contact on Both Sides, But No Green Light Yet WBN can confirm that both Mayweather and Pacquiao remain open to the idea under the right terms; that’s no secret, but negotiations remain at a preliminary stage. One key complication is Mayweather’s current focus on securing another high-profile exhibition against Mike Tyson, which he wanted to stage as a Netflix event but faces opposition to the idea. That option now appears uncertain. With Jake Paul already occupying one of Netflix’s limited annual combat sports slots each year, there’s no guarantee Mayweather can land the second or the third. Even if Mayweather vs Pacquiao II were to be made official, streaming rights present a massive obstacle. Based on projections, a full-scale professional rematch would easily generate more than two million pay-per-view buys, requiring Netflix or another partner to commit upwards of $200 million to secure the event. Pacquiao Ready, Mayweather Non-Committal Pacquiao, now 46, has openly called for a rematch since returning to the ring earlier this year with a contentious draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. The Filipino legend told the media he’s ready and willing if Mayweather signs the contract. “If he comes out and signs the contract, then maybe we will fight,” Pacquiao said post-Barrios fight. “I’m active now, and I don’t pick my opponent. I’ll fight them all in my weight division.” Despite those calls, Mayweather has maintained total silence on Pacquiao’s comeback, focusing instead on exhibitions and business ventures outside boxing. WBN previously reported Pacquiao’s New Year’s Eve appearance heading into 2024 with RIZIN boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara, when the pair claimed the rematch would take place in Japan. That plan, like previous Saudi and US offers, has since stalled with no confirmed date, venue, or broadcaster. Exhibition or Professional? If a deal does materialize, 2026 would mark 11 years since their 2015 Fight of the Century, which generated over $600 million and broke all PPV records. The key question now: would it be a legitimate professional contest or a high-grossing exhibition? Mayweather’s insistence on protecting his unbeaten 50-0 record remains the biggest obstacle to any sanctioned bout. WBN understands that if the fight happens at all, it’s far more likely to occur as an exhibition unless a financial package is offered that outweighs the risk to his legacy. Legacy and Logistics The 2015 clash remains one of the most-watched sporting events in history, and any repeat would still be a box-office juggernaut. Yet in today’s streaming economy, striking a deal that satisfies both legends and global broadcasters is far more complex. For now, the rematch boxing fans have craved for over a decade remains a long way from reality. World Boxing News will continue to monitor developments closely, having tracked every major approach since the first official offer five years ago. Stay tuned for verified updates and direct sourcing — not speculation — as the world waits to see if two of boxing’s most significant icons will share a ring once more. About the Author Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism. Stay Ahead in Boxing News Subscribe to the free WBN Newsletter for trusted updates, exclusive interviews, and fight analysis delivered daily. Join the [World Boxing News Channel] or follow WBN on [Linktree].

Another day in boxing, another Floyd Mayweather Jr (50-0, 27 KOs) vs. Manny Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) 2 announcement. The latest update includes a new venue and date, with May-Pac 2 reportedly set for Friday, September 25, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, on Netflix. On Thursday, Mayweather held a press conference to announce his June 27 exhibition bout against kickboxing legend Mike Zambidis, which will stream live on pay-per-view. During the press conference, Mayweather said the rematch with Pacquiao would be finalized within “the next 48 hours.” On Friday, the Ring’s Mike Coppinger tweeted the following:

By: Leo

Boxing legends Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are set for a professional rematch on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas! Catch the highly anticipated bout live on Netflix.

Manny Pacquiao reignites his rivalry with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a historic rematch set to stream live globally on Netflix

@DarnayTripp tweeted https://t.co/aW2GGQdBHS 💬 @netflix FLOYD MAYWEATHER vs. MANNY PACQUIAO Two of the greatest icons in boxing history will meet again in the first-ever professional boxing match at Sphere in Las Vegas. Saturday September 19 LIVE globally only on Netflix #MayPac2

More than a decade after the pair broke records with their long-awaited showdown, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are running it back.