MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao has hinted that a rematch of his 2015 blockbuster with Floyd Mayweather Jr. could be on the cards next year.
“Right now we have a lot of negotiations about my next fight; there is a possible rematch with Floyd Mayweather,” Pacquiao said at a press conference on Wednesday. “There are a lot of negotiations going on right now, so it’s hard to plan which fight I’m going to post. I’m waiting for the final negotiation.”
A world champion in eight divisions, from flyweight to super-welterweight, Pacquiao was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June. A month later, he came out of retirement and narrowly missed regaining a title at the age of 46, with Mario Barrios retaining the WBC welterweight championship after a majority draw.
Pacquiao initially retired in 2021 with a record of 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts, fighting in some of the biggest blockbusters of the 2000s. He said he was always looking for the toughest opponents so he could continue to test himself.
He served as a senator in the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and lost his bid for the country’s presidency in 2022.
Pacquiao lost to Mayweather in 2015 in a fight that was billed as the “fight of the century”, but he later revealed he was hampered by a shoulder injury.
“I would love to have another fight, a rematch with Floyd Mayweather,” Pacquiao said. “So I hope that in the negotiations we can understand each other and negotiate well.”
Mayweather, 48, could have a busy 2026.
CSI Sports announced last month an exhibition between undefeated Mayweather and Mike Tyson next year. No date or location was provided in the announcement.
In the meantime, Pacquiao will focus on the next generation.
His son, Jimuel, 24, will make his professional debut against American Brendan Lally on November 29 in California.
“I’m excited, but I’m worried about my son,” Manny Pacquiao said. “He started late…but it’s his passion, so I’m going to support him. I pray for him that he can fight safely.”
