Pacquiao says Mayweather rematch is a fight, not an exhibition
Manny Pacquiao stated that his upcoming rematch with Floyd Mayweather is a full fight, not just an exhibition, contrary to previous reports.
The highly anticipated rematch between boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is scheduled for September 19, 2026, at The Sphere in Las Vegas, with global streaming on Netflix. The fight was initially announced in February 2026 as a sanctioned professional boxing match that would count toward both fighters' records, marking a significant comeback event more than a decade after their first encounter in 2015. However, controversy erupted in late March 2026 when Mayweather publicly stated during a meet-and-greet at Caesar's Palace that the bout would be an exhibition rather than a professional fight, claiming it wouldn't affect his perfect 50-0 record and suggesting the venue wasn't finalized despite earlier announcements.
Pacquiao has firmly disputed Mayweather's claims, stating upon his arrival in Los Angeles that the contract clearly specifies a professional fight. The Filipino boxing icon emphasized, "I don't want to fight an exhibition, it's a real fight. That's the contract that he signed." According to Philippine news source Inquirer.net, Pacquiao challenged Mayweather's exhibition assertion and confirmed the agreement was for a "genuine contest." Pacquiao's position is that he would not participate in an exhibition match and expects Mayweather to honor their binding agreement.
The dispute has escalated to contractual issues, with Pacquiao's promoter, Jas Mathur (CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions), issuing an ultimatum to Mayweather. Mathur has cited multiple breaches of contract, including Mayweather's public statements about the fight being an exhibition, his discussions of potential exhibitions with other fighters like Mike Tyson and Mike Zambidis, and questions about the venue. Mayweather has been given a deadline to provide written confirmation that the fight will proceed as a professional bout or risk cancellation of the September 19 event.
As of early April 2026, the fight remains scheduled but faces uncertainty pending Mayweather's response to the contractual demands. Pacquiao's camp maintains that all terms are binding for a professional fight at The Sphere, while Mayweather continues to frame the event as entertainment-focused exhibition. The situation represents a significant conflict between the two boxing icons' interpretations of their agreement, with Pacquiao seeking to avenge his 2015 loss in a legitimate professional contest and Mayweather apparently prioritizing the protection of his undefeated record.
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