Mayweather Says Pacquiao Rematch Is an Exhibition

The highly anticipated fight will not count as an official bout.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:27am

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Boxing legends Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are set to face off in a rematch on September 19 in Las Vegas, but Mayweather has now revealed that the fight will be considered an exhibition match and will not count as an official bout.

Why it matters

The Mayweather-Pacquiao rivalry is one of the biggest in boxing history, and their first fight in 2015 was the highest-grossing pay-per-view event ever. This announcement that the rematch will be an exhibition match rather than a sanctioned fight has surprised many fans and raises questions about the legitimacy and significance of the event.

The details

Mayweather stated that as of right now, the September 19 fight will not take place at the Sphere, the new immersive arena near the Las Vegas Strip that was expected to host the event. The fight's status as an exhibition rather than an official bout means that it will not count towards either fighter's professional record.

  • The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch is scheduled for September 19, 2026 in Las Vegas.

The players

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A retired professional boxer who is considered one of the greatest fighters of his era, having won multiple world championships in five weight classes.

Manny Pacquiao

A Filipino professional boxer and politician who is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, having won world championships in eight different weight classes.

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What they’re saying

“As of right now, the fight on September 19 will be an exhibition match and will not count towards either of our records.”

— Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The takeaway

This announcement by Mayweather casts uncertainty over the significance and legitimacy of the highly anticipated Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch, which was expected to be a major event in the boxing world. It remains to be seen how this will impact fan interest and the financial success of the fight.