Manny Pacquiao says Floyd Mayweather Jr. has finally given his answer — and it clears a major hurdle for their long-awaited rematch.
Pacquiao told BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire that Mayweather has agreed to move forward with their Sept. 19 showdown as a legitimate professional fight, not an exhibition, after days of uncertainty surrounding the event.
“The fight is on,” Pacquiao said in a text message to Pugmire.
Pacquiao Ultimatum Forces Mayweather Decision on Fight Status
The update follows a tense stretch in negotiations, during which Pacquiao publicly challenged Mayweather to clarify whether the bout would be a sanctioned fight.
Mayweather had previously referred to the Netflix-streamed event as an exhibition, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the rematch.
Pacquiao pushed back forcefully, insisting that was not what had been agreed upon.
“That’s not what we signed,” Pacquiao said in an interview with Inside the Ring. “We signed a real fight.”
Pacquiao even issued a 24-hour deadline for Mayweather to confirm his participation under professional rules, increasing pressure on the undefeated former champion to make a decision.
Mayweather’s Netflix Deal Adds Financial Pressure to Commit
The negotiations also carry financial implications beyond the ring.
MP Promotions president Jas Mathur said Mayweather has already taken out a loan tied to the upcoming Netflix event, with the fight contract serving as collateral — a structure that increases the urgency to finalize the bout as a sanctioned fight.
According to Mathur, the agreement is “collateralized” in a manner similar to previous high-profile exhibition deals, meaning the lender’s underwriting is tied directly to the fight moving forward.
That arrangement adds another layer of pressure for Mayweather to honor the terms of a professional rematch, particularly as questions about the bout’s official status surfaced in recent weeks.
Mayweather’s Undefeated Record Suddenly in Play
If the bout proceeds as a sanctioned fight, it would mark Mayweather’s first professional appearance since his 2017 victory over Conor McGregor.
Since then, he has largely competed in exhibition bouts, including a high-profile matchup against Logan Paul, preserving his pristine 50-0 record.
A return to a real fight against Pacquiao would put that record at risk — something Pacquiao openly questioned.
“I think he’s scared of losing,” Pacquiao said. “If that record was ruined, what else can he leverage?”
That dynamic has been central to the standoff, with Pacquiao pushing for a fight that carries real consequences.
Pacquiao Eyes Redemption After Controversial 2015 Fight
Their first meeting in 2015 — billed as “The Fight of the Century” — remains the richest fight in boxing history, generating more than $600 million in total revenue.
Mayweather won by unanimous decision, but the bout drew criticism for its lack of sustained action.
Pacquiao later revealed he entered the fight with a torn rotator cuff, fueling years of debate over what might have happened under different circumstances.
Now 47, Pacquiao believes the rematch presents a chance to settle those questions.
“This time, there’s no reason for alibis or excuses,” he said on ESPN’s SportsCenter in February.
Pacquiao-Mayweather Rematch Moves Forward Amid High Stakes
The rematch is scheduled for Sept. 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas and will be streamed globally on Netflix.
Pacquiao’s camp has maintained that contracts were already in place for a professional bout, with executives expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved.
“All I can say is we are making headway on it,” Mathur said. “There is a contract in place, and I think better sense will prevail.”
And that’s what happened based on Pacquiao’s latest update.
With Mayweather now aligned on the fight’s status, attention shifts to preparation — and to what could be one of the most anticipated rematches in boxing history.
More than a decade after their first clash, the stakes are once again massive.
But this time, Pacquiao insists, there will be no confusion about what’s on the line.
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