Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s rematch clouded by confusion as exhibition vs official fight debate emerges

A decade after their blockbuster showdown reshaped boxing’s global stage, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are once again at the center of the sport’s spotlight but this time, the biggest question isn’t who will win. It’s what kind of fight fans are actually getting.

What was initially announced as a high-profile rematch set for September, potentially at the futuristic Sphere in Las Vegas and streamed globally on Netflix—has quickly turned into a swirl of mixed signals and conflicting narratives.

Mayweather himself added to the uncertainty after downplaying the bout’s competitive stakes, suggesting that the long-awaited sequel to their 2015 clash may not be a professional fight at all.

“As of right now, we don’t know exactly where the fight is going to be at. The Sphere is one of the places that they talked about. So, we don’t know if it’s 100% going to be there,” the 49-year-old boxer said.

“And this is not actually a fight, it’s an exhibition. It’s an exhibition, so we’re both winners. I mean, we just want to go out there and entertain the people and put on a good show,” he added.

That perspective, however, doesn’t align with the camp of the Filipino legend. Jas Mathur, CEO of MP Promotions, pushed back strongly on Mayweather’s remarks, insisting that Pacquiao has no interest in a mere exhibition.

According to veteran boxing insider Mike Coppinger of The Ring Magazine, Mathur confirmed that both fighters are under contract for an official bout which is directly contradicting Mayweather’s claims.

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Floyd Mayweather says his fight with Manny Pacquiao will be an exhibition, not a professional bout, and that the Sphere isn’t 100% confirmed as the location yet

“This is actually not a fight, it’s a exhibition. You know I got an exhibition with Mike Tyson also.”

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— Source of Boxing (@Sourceofboxing) March 28, 2026

The conflicting statements have left fans in limbo, unsure whether the rematch will carry real stakes or simply serve as a spectacle between two icons revisiting their rivalry.

Their first encounter in 2015 remains one of boxing’s most lucrative and talked-about events, with Mayweather preserving his unbeaten record in a tactical victory. 

Since then, both fighters have stepped away from and returned to the sport multiple times, adding another layer of unpredictability to their long-awaited rematch.

Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion, officially retired in 2021 after falling to Yordenis Ugas, but has since re-entered the ring, including a draw against Mario Barrios last year. He is also scheduled for an exhibition bout against Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18, a potential tune-up before facing Mayweather again.

Meanwhile, Mayweather has not fought professionally since his 2017 crossover bout with Conor McGregor, though he has remained active in exhibition matches worldwide.

Until official details are finalized, the rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao isn’t just a clash of legends—it’s a battle over definition, where the meaning of the fight itself remains undecided.

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