By Norm Frauenheim

Manny Pacquiao versus-Floyd Mayweather Jr.? Did anyone really want to see it all over again?

Didn’t think so.

The good news is that it looks as if the rematch – or is that redundancy? –won’t happen because of the legal mess surrounding Mayweather, who used to call himself Money May.

Lawsuits that seem to multiply by the day, however, suggest money may be gone and on to a life of uninterrupted court dates.

The latest evidence came Thursday when Mayweather’s exhibition against Mike Zambidis in Athens Saturday was called off, according to federal court records filed in New York.

The bout was in jeopardy after CSI, an events company reportedly contracted to stage Mayweather dates, sued, alleging breach of contract. CSI also filed for an emergency injunction to halt the fight. According to the suit, CSI claims it has rights to stage other Mayweather exhibitions, including one against Mike Tyson.

But it was never clear when – or if – the Mayweather-Tyson exhibition would ever happen. Now, it’s fair to say that the Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch is in doubt.

In effect, that’s what Pacquiao told Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire Thursday in the wake of news that Mayweather- Zambidis was suddenly just another Greek myth. No live stream was reported. No ticket sales were reported. No opening bell was inevitable.

Then, Pacquiao told Boxing Scene that the Mayweather rematch, scheduled for Sept. 25, had been postponed indefinitely. Indefinitely can mean lots of things, including forever.

Deepening doubt is there because of the avalanche of lawsuits involving Mayweather, who is believed to have earned a billion dollars in his prize-fighting career.

Dollars, of course, have been the only reason for a rematch. Mayweather’s victory over Pacquiao eleven years ago is memorable only for the record revenue it generated. The fight itself was a dud. Mayweather won a unanimous decision in what was a unanimous bore.

International interest before the fight was squandered during the fight. Then, the money generated by the fight was apparently squandered. Who wants to do that all over again?

That verdict has already been delivered by fans who aren’t likely to pay again for another money-grab between fighters more than a decade past their primes.

Notes on a Scorecard

Elijah Garcia (18-2, 14 KOs), a prominent prospect a couple of years ago, got back into the win column with a mandatory victory, a first-round stoppage, of Ryan Adams last Saturday at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Garcia’s hometown.

Jose Benavidez Sr., dad and trainer of three division champion David Benavidez, confirms reports this week that he has talked with troubled and talented Tank Davis about being his trainer. “Tank will announce his plans and we’ll go from there,’’ Jose Sr. tells The Good Fight.  There’s uncertainty because of Tank’s problematic legal issues.

By Norm Frauenheim

Floyd Mayweather cast doubt last Saturday on whether his September 19 sequel with Manny Pacquiao will be documented as a real fight and where it’ll happen, but tickets were available this week for a date already scheduled on the Las Vegas Sphere’s calendar.

Tickets, priced from $1,882 to $29,214, were up for sale on the Sphere’s website Thursday amid controversy raised by Mayweather, whose comments suggested the event was not the done deal it seemed to be when announced February 23 by Netflix and CSI Sports.

During a busy boxing day dominated by Sebastian Fundora’s stoppage of Keith Thurman last weekend, Mayweather told Vegas Sports Today that the venue was uncertain.

“We don’t know if it’s a hundred percent going to be there,’’ Mayweather said during a reported meet-and-greet at Caesars Palace.

Days later, however, the MSG-sponsored Sphere is moving forward as if it is certain.

Mayweather also told Vegas Sports Today that the fight would not count in the official record book, which has him at 50-0 after a boxing victory over then MMA star Conor McGregor in August 2017.

“This is not actually a fight,’’ Mayweather said. “It’s an exhibition.”

In a video posted by Source of Boxing, Pacquiao countered, saying he didn’t sign up for an exhibition.

“…he signed a real contract,’’ says Pacquiao, who lost a 2015 decision to Mayweather in a much-hyped fight remembered mostly for the record-setting pay-per-view revenue. “Yes, the contract that we signed is a real fight. I wouldn’t fight an exhibition.’’

There’s a theory that Mayweather is attempting to re-negotiate, because he wants to protect his official record. He might need money, but he still values the 0 on the loss side of the ledger more than anything. It’s his identity. Maybe, his future. He’ll be 50 next year. One loss might ruin the birthday party.

From the Netflix and Sphere point of view, however, that risk is part of the drama, a compelling reason to watch. After all, the first fight, more than a decade ago, was a dud.

As of Thursday, it’s not clear whether Mayweather thinks he’s found a loophole that will allow him to re-negotiate. The Pacquiao camp is certain he does not.

Mayweather is in breach of contract,

Jas Mathur, Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO, told ESPN and Boxing Scene.  Now, there are reports that Mathur is demanding Mayweather re-confirm that he intends to fulfill the terms that –Pacquiao says — he agreed to.

Will he? Mayweather, a calculating and clever master of the feint within the ring, also uses it outside of it. Keep them guessing, before and after opening bell.

He’s done it often enough to think he’s trying to do it all over again. It also might help explain the odds. Mayweather opened as a slight betting favorite, minus 175. A couple of days later, money came in on Mayweather, making him more of a favorite, minus 190.

There are no odds on whether the fight, real or not, happens at all.

Not yet anyway.

Two of the greatest icons in boxing history, Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs), will meet in a professional rematch on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Sphere in Las Vegas. With Mayweather officially coming out of retirement, this once-in-a-generation event will stream live globally on Netflix to its 325+ million subscribers at no additional cost.

This landmark night represents a major milestone for both the sport and the city of Las Vegas, as the first-ever professional boxing match to take place at Sphere. The production will utilize the venue’s advanced technologies to provide fans with an immersive experience unlike any other in boxing history. 

The rematch follows the 2015 “Fight of the Century,” a monumental event that remains the richest in boxing history. Their first meeting shattered every standing benchmark, generating a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys. The event also set a world-record live gate of $72 million at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Now, over a decade later, these two titans return to the ring to settle the score on the world’s most technologically advanced stage.

Mayweather recently announced that he was coming out of retirement through a multi-fight partnership with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS. 

The historic rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao was organized and will be produced by EverWonder Studio, Hidden Empire, and Limitless X Holdings. The event itself is being promoted by Manny Pacquiao Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in partnership with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.

Manny Pacquiao said: “Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history. The fans have waited long enough—they deserve this rematch, and it will be even bigger now that it will be streamed live globally on Netflix. I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him. As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bringing glory to the Philippines.

Floyd Mayweather said: “I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result.” 

Gabe Spitzer, Vice President of Sports at Netflix, said: “Earlier in my career, I spent weeks in Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s training camps in Las Vegas and the Philippines. It was undeniable that they were the two hardest workers in boxing, and their wins and accolades were a product of that. Bringing this rematch to Netflix is a massive ‘full-circle’ moment. We’re thrilled to combine their storied rivalry with the immersive technology of Sphere to deliver a landmark sporting event to our members worldwide.”

Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions said: “This isn’t just a rematch. It’s unfinished business. As a partner to both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, and on behalf of Manny Pacquiao Promotions alongside Limitless X Holdings, I want to thank Netflix for stepping up and giving boxing fans what they’ve demanded for years. I also want to thank Jason Aniel — who worked alongside the rest of our great partners to help bring this across the finish line on behalf of Manny Pacquiao. Two legends. Two styles. One final chapter the world has been waiting for. Their first fight generated over $600 million in global revenue and became the highest-grossing pay-per-view in boxing history. This rematch will once again command a worldwide audience, becoming (without a doubt) the most-watched boxing event in Netflix Sports history. Presented at Sphere, this unparalleled immersive experience will be an epic, once-in-a-generation spectacle worthy of their legacies.”

Full details regarding the undercard and ticket availability for this event at Sphere in Las Vegas will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch marks the latest chapter in Netflix’s record-breaking expansion into live boxing. It follows the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event, which drew 108 million live global viewers to become the most-streamed sporting event in history; Taylor-Serrano 3, which took place at Madison Square Garden and was the most-watched professional women’s sporting event of 2025 in the US; and the Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown, which garnered 41.4 million viewers as the century’s most-watched men’s championship fight. Netflix continues this momentum with the upcoming return of Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 – Netflix’s first-ever live event broadcast from the United Kingdom.

By Norm Frauenheim

Only boxing is killing boxing. It’s an old line, yet

relevant as ever this week with news of talk about a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao rematch.

It’s been a decade since the first one, which has been hard to forget for all the wrong reasons. It was a dud, memorable only for all the money that was made. Pacquiao got rich. Mayweather got richer. Everybody else got robbed.

Many in a record pay-per-view audience of 4.6 million for the May 2015 fight grumbled at what they paid for and walked away, never to pay again.

For ten long years, the business has worked through futility and frustration, attempting to bring back old fans while trying to create a few new ones. The jury is out. So are the fans.

Yet, younger faces and new money, Saudi money, are creating newfound possibilities.

The business is also coming off a notable triumph in Terence Crawford’s scorecard upset of Canelo Alvarez in mid-September in front of a crowd of more than 70,000 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium and a reported audience of more than 42 million on Netflix.

The numbers add up to a reason for cautious optimism, emphasis on the caution. Crawford’s masterful performance reminded an eroding and increasingly exasperated fan base of why boxing was once called The Sweet Science.

It still can be.

But Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 might make a returning crowd wary of getting fooled all over again. Caveat emptor is attached to any prizefighting venture, of course. But Mayweather-Pacquiao almost stands alone for what went wrong and what not to do all over again.

It’s no surprise that Pacquiao and Mayweather would want to, of course. Another chance at even a fraction of the money earned a decade ago is motivation enough to try once more. Pacquiao confirmed there have been negotiations.

“Right now, we have a lot of negotiations about my next fight; there’s a possible rematch with Floyd Mayweather,” Pacquiao said Wednesday during a news conference in Manila. “…”I’d love to have another fight, a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.”

Of course, he would.

However, there was no immediate confirmation from Mayweather, who reportedly has an agreement for an exhibition with Mike Tyson, also next year.

Pacquiao, however, made it sound as if a rematch — perhaps next spring — would be a genuine bout, one for the books.

“A real fight,” he said.

That, of course, would be a risk to Mayweather’s unbeaten, 50-0 record, a cornerstone to his claim on being the best ever. Unbeaten might be an issue, a legacy Mayweather does not want to jeopardize  

Pacquiao is 46 and coming off an entertaining draw with Mario Barrios in a July comeback. Against Barrios, he proved he can still fight. But for how much longer? The former Filipino Senator will be 47 in December.

Meanwhile, Mayweather, who has been on the exhibition tour for years, is 48. He’ll be 49 in late February.

Even a decade ago, both were late in their primes, yet fought with the hesitance of older men. Mayweather won a decision. After the scores were announced and the boos subsided, Pacquiao said he fought with a shoulder injury.

Even then, the fight was said to be a couple of years past its due date. Ten years later, it’s just ancient history. It’s time to move on, both for them and a game fighting to separate itself from their past.

David Benavidez on the move

David Benavidez, a Phoenix-born fighter now living in Miami, has already moved his training camp to the Middle East for his looming light-heavyweight title fight against 175-pound veteran Anthony Yarde in Riyadh Nov. 22.

With the move, he hopes to adjust to new surroundings and time zone. Benavidez will be fighting in Saudi Arabia for the first time. All of his fights have been in the U.S. and Mexico.