Manny Pacquiao Denies Exhibition Format for Fight with Floyd Mayweather

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has reacted strongly to statements made by American boxer Floyd Mayweather, who described their upcoming rematch as an exhibition fight. Pacquiao, a seasoned veteran in professional boxing, has made it clear that he does not agree with this format and insists that the match must be a full-fledged professional fight, as confirmed by their signed contract.

"No exhibition fight. Either a real fight or nothing. This will be a real fight. The contract we signed is for a real fight. So that's for sure," emphasized Pacquiao in a comment to FightHype.

Streaming platform Netflix had previously announced the upcoming fight as the first professional bout at the new venue, The Sphere. However, Mayweather, known for his exhibition matches after retiring from professional boxing, later stated that he views this fight as an exhibition, which has sparked outrage from Pacquiao.

It is noteworthy that in 2015, Mayweather defeated Pacquiao in Las Vegas by unanimous decision. This match, dubbed the "Fight of the Century," set numerous records, generating $72.2 million from ticket sales alone, with total revenue exceeding $600 million. This bout marked a significant milestone in the careers of both boxers and left a lasting imprint on boxing history.

Floyd Mayweather last fought professionally in August 2017, when he won by technical knockout in the tenth round against former UFC champion Conor McGregor. Following this fight, he retired with an undefeated record of 50-0.

Since retiring from professional boxing, Mayweather has frequently engaged in exhibition matches, including several planned bouts against legendary figures such as Mike Tyson and kickboxer Mike Zambidis. These exhibition fights have elicited mixed reactions within the sports community, as some view them as less serious than professional bouts.

Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand, made his return to the ring in 2025 after a four-year hiatus, finishing a match against Mario Barrios in a draw. This fight was a significant milestone in his career, as Pacquiao aims to return to the pinnacle of boxing and once again prove his prowess.

Earlier reports indicated that Mayweather was required to undergo medical examinations ahead of the highly anticipated rematch with Pacquiao, underscoring the seriousness of the approach to the upcoming bout. Despite the differing opinions regarding the fight's format, both boxers remain at the center of attention in the sports community, and their confrontation promises to be thrilling.