Mayweather Throws Pacquiao Rematch Into Doubt With Netflix Reveal

Boxing legend says upcoming bout may not be an official fight after all.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:37pm

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. has raised major doubts about his announced rematch against Manny Pacquiao, telling reporters the bout would be an exhibition match and the location is still uncertain. Mayweather's comments contradict previous announcements from his own camp and Netflix about the fight being a sanctioned professional bout.

Why it matters

The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch was highly anticipated as a potential final chapter in the legendary rivalry between the two boxing superstars. Mayweather's latest remarks throw the fight's status into chaos and leave fans wondering if they'll get to see the two all-time greats square off one more time in a real professional match.

The details

Mayweather said the fight may not take place at the previously announced venue of The Sphere in Las Vegas, and that it would be an exhibition match rather than a sanctioned professional bout. This contradicts prior announcements from Mayweather's camp and Netflix about the fight being part of a multi-fight deal.

  • Mayweather made the comments during a meet and greet at the MCM store in Caesar's Palace on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch was previously announced to take place on September 19, 2026.

The players

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A 50-0 boxing legend who is coming out of retirement for the Pacquiao rematch and other exhibition bouts.

Manny Pacquiao

A former boxing champion who came out of retirement last summer and was set to face Mayweather in a rematch of their 2015 blockbuster bout.

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What they’re saying

“As of right now, we don't know exactly where the fight is going to be at. We don't know the location of the fight. The Sphere is one of the places that they talked about. So we don't know if it's a hundred percent going to be there. And this is not actually a fight. It's an exhibition.”

— Floyd Mayweather Jr., Boxing Superstar

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Mayweather and Pacquiao will be able to finalize the details of their rematch, including the location and whether it will be a sanctioned professional fight or an exhibition match.

The takeaway

Mayweather's latest comments have thrown the highly anticipated Pacquiao rematch into uncertainty, raising questions about the fight's status and format. This development will likely disappoint fans who were hoping to see the two boxing legends face off one more time in an official professional bout to settle their rivalry.