Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather discuss rematch
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are reportedly in advanced discussions for a long-awaited rematch, a decade after their record-breaking 2015 encounter captivated the boxing world, reports BritPanorama.
Streaming giant Netflix is believed to be preparing to finance and broadcast the blockbuster event, which insiders say could take place as early as March or April next year.
Their first meeting generated more than £500 million in pay-per-view revenue alone, setting a US record with 4.4 million purchases and another £55 million in ticket sales. Mayweather claimed victory by unanimous decision in what was billed as the “Fight of the Century,” settling years of speculation over who would emerge as the sport’s greatest of their era. Yet despite the astronomical success, a rematch never came—until now.
Sources close to the negotiations have indicated that Netflix, which has rapidly become a major player in live sports, is eager to build on its recent success with high-profile boxing events. The platform attracted over 100 million viewers for Jake Paul’s bout with Mike Tyson last November, followed by 43 million for Terence Crawford’s win over Canelo Alvarez. The streamer is also set to air Paul’s upcoming exhibition match against Gervonta Davis on November 14, further solidifying its ambition to dominate combat sports broadcasting.
Whether Mayweather, now 48, will risk his flawless 50-0 professional record remains unclear. The former five-division world champion retired after defeating UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017, but has since fought multiple exhibition bouts against a mix of professional fighters, mixed martial artists, and social media personalities. His most recent appearance came in August 2024 against John Gotti III, grandson of the infamous mob boss.
Mayweather is already under contract to face Tyson in an exhibition next year, but those plans could be sidelined if an agreement with Pacquiao is finalised first. The undefeated American has hinted at returning for one final professional fight in 2026, telling fans that defending his legacy remains a motivation.
Pacquiao, 46, returned to the ring in July after four years of retirement to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC world title, earning a controversial draw in a performance that many observers felt merited victory. The Filipino icon, who has captured world titles across eight weight divisions, has since vowed to continue fighting while also taking on a leadership role as Vice President of IBA Pro, the professional arm of the International Boxing Association.
IBA Pro Director General Al Siesta confirmed that the organisation would welcome the opportunity to stage the fight. Siesta stated, “There is still fight in him. If he wants to compete, we will support that. We would be delighted and honoured to host Mayweather versus Pacquiao at IBA Pro.”
The IBA, formerly known as AIBA, lost Olympic recognition in 2023 following corruption allegations but has expanded its focus toward professional boxing. Siesta added, “We are here for boxing, not politics. Our mission is to build bridges, not walls, and to help the sport grow for the better.”
If finalised, a Mayweather–Pacquiao rematch under the Netflix banner could become one of the most-watched sporting events of the decade.
As the boxing community braces for this potential showdown, it serves as a reminder of how past rivalries can still command global attention and revenue, drawing in both die-hard fans and casual viewers alike.
