Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Rematch Teased at RIZIN

02 January 2024

In a surprising twist during RIZIN's annual New Year's Eve special event at the Saitama Super Arena, the prospect of a Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather rematch was announced.

Exactly one year after Manny Pacquiao revealed his contract signing with RIZIN for an exhibition boxing match under the Japanese MMA promotion, the bout never materialized in 2023. However, the eight-division boxing champion returned to Japan at the close of the year. Former PRIDE and current RIZIN boss Nobuyiki Sakakibara invited Pacquiao into the ring and broached the subject of a fight with Floyd Mayweather in the coming year, eliciting audible gasps from the Saitama crowd.

Expressing his readiness, Pacquiao apologized to the Japanese audience for the unfulfilled 2023 exhibition in RIZIN. Looking towards the future, he hinted at a big fight in Japan, glancing at Sakakibara for approval before dropping the bombshell: "Floyd Mayweather!"

While no specifics were provided, the rematch is targeted for "next year." Given their recent trend, it is likely to be another exhibition bout rather than an official professional boxing match. Both Hall of Fame boxers have engaged in various exhibitions since retiring as professionals.

Pacquiao, who retired in 2021 with a 62-8-2 record, recently dominated South Korean celebrity martial artist DK Yoo in December 2022 and is set to face Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek in January 2024. Mayweather, with a perfect 50-0 record in 2017, has participated in seven exhibition bouts against the likes of Logan Paul and John Gotti III. Notably, he has previously competed in RIZIN exhibitions in 2018 and 2022, knocking out Japanese stars Tenshin Nasukawa and Mikuru Asakura.

The first encounter between Mayweather and Pacquiao took place in 2015, with the American winning by unanimous decision in what remains the best-selling PPV bout in history at around 4.6 million buys. Despite the potential rematch happening in 2024, with Pacquiao at 45 and Mayweather at 47, the prospect of their legendary names clashing again is expected to excite fans and draw significant attention.

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However, given the earlier unfulfilled RIZIN announcement and the reputations of RIZIN, Mayweather, and Pacquiao regarding contract negotiations, caution is advised in managing expectations until the big rematch is officially confirmed.