Ten years ago, boxing fans witnessed a historic showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, with Mayweather securing a unanimous decision victory. This high-stakes contest, held in May 2015, saw Mayweather capture the WBC, WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine world welterweight titles. Both fighters stood as two of the biggest names in the welterweight division during that time.
Since that momentous event, there has been no rematch, but the possibility is now rekindled as both fighters advance into their 40s. During a press conference in the Philippines, Pacquiao confirmed that negotiations with Mayweather are underway. However, he also mentioned that he is considering discussions with several other fighters, making it uncertain which bout will ultimately materialize.
“Right now we have a lot of negotiations about my next fight; there’s a possible rematch with Floyd Mayweather,” Pacquiao stated. “There’s a lot of ongoing negotiations right now, so it’s hard to plan what fight I’m going to post. I’m waiting for the final negotiation.”
Pacquiao, who experienced a shoulder injury during their first encounter, continued to compete for several years, retiring in 2021 after a record of 5-2 in his last seven fights. He recently returned to the ring at 46 years old, facing WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in a bout that resulted in a majority draw, falling just shy of reclaiming the title.
Floyd Mayweather, now 48, has also seen his career take a different path following his 2015 victory. He fought only two more professional matches before retiring after his landmark 50th win against Conor McGregor in 2017. Since then, Mayweather has participated in various exhibition fights but has not engaged in a legitimate boxing match in almost a decade.
As both combatants approach their 50s, the interest level for a potential rematch remains uncertain. The original bout in 2015, which showcased both boxers past their peaks, reignited public anticipation after years of speculations, and it went on to generate the highest-grossing gate in boxing history. Should this rematch proceed, it could tap into nostalgic sentiments among fans, celebrating a defining era in boxing while also highlighting the enduring legacies of both fighters.