YOU can understand why boxing fans remain skeptical on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Manny Pacquiao rematch coming into fruition.
The rematch is just four months away but the handlers of the boxers are still fine-tuning a supposedly done deal.
The announcement that the rematch is signed, sealed and delivered hit a huge snag in March, when Mayweather announced that it will only be an exhibition fight.
An exhibition fight is just a glorified sparring session, with the result not affecting the records of the boxers.
Pacquiao’s camp raised a huge howl. Pacquiao insisted that he signed for a real fight and his team promptly threatened legal action.
Boxing fans did not waste time ridiculing Mayweather, claiming the American remains petrified at the thought of losing his 50-0 record.
As expected, the representatives of the boxers returned to the negotiating table and agreed on key amendments.
Originally scheduled for Sept. 19, the fight will now take place on Sept. 25.
The fight venue has also been changed.
The Sphere in Las Vegas, the original choice, has been ditched for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The T-Mobile Arena is a familiar venue for big boxing bouts.
Streaming giant Netflix remains onboard and will carry the fight as part of its boxing coverage.
The Sphere claimed it has been booked for an Eagles concert, causing the fight to be moved elsewhere.
Well, that is the press release.
Not a few posit the view that the head honchos of The Sphere decided to just back off because of the befuddling announcements on the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. The last thing they want to happen is for the fight to be called off at the last-minute and for the plush venue to be left with empty seats.
Rock legends the Eagles maintain a residency on The Sphere. The band first played at The Sphere in September 2024. The band has since played to more than a million fans.
Recently, citing overwhelming demand, the Eagles added six more dates to extend the band’s run into November 2026. The additional shows include one on Sept. 19, which was supposed to be reserved for Mayweather-Pacquiao.
Now, between a certified cash cow (the Eagles) and a fight that can be canceled anytime due to the antics of Mayweather, The Sphere predictably picked the Eagles.
The best news to come out from the renegotiation is the announcement that the Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch will be a real fight.
Of course, we are still waiting for the confirmation to come from the mouth of Mayweather.
The only thing Mayweather has confirmed is that his exhibition fight opposite Greek kickboxing legend Mike Zambidis will push through on June 27 in Athens, Greece. It will be recalled that Pacquiao’s camp also objected to this exhibition and considered it as a breach of the agreement for the September rematch. This issue was apparently settled in the “renegotiation.”
Then again, Mayweather’s exhibition fight with Zambidis also hangs in the balance.
A few weeks ago, the Internal Revenue Service (the equivalent of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in the Philippines) moved to revoke the US passport of Mayweather because of the latter’s unpaid tax debt totaling over $7 million.
If Mayweather’s passport is revoked, he cannot travel to Athens to fight Zambidis. The fight will be called off, too.
Mayweather’s topsy-turvy stance has been a major headache.
The consensus is that if not for the money problems he is facing, Mayweather will never accept a real fight.
The 50-0 record is Mayweather’s best legacy and the last thing he wants is to have it tarnished at this stage in his career.
Mayweather feverishly protected his unbeaten record.
In August 2017, Mayweather only figured in a real fight because he wanted to raise his record to 50-0 and place himself in an exclusive plateau.
Mayweather previously shared the 49-0 record with former heavyweight champ Rocky Marciano. Mayweather returned in 2017, picked an inexperienced (boxing-wise) foe in Conor McGregor, and beat the latter to a pulp to raise his resume to 50-0. After the fight, he promptly retired and settled for exhibition matches.
Mayweather, 49, is now being forced to return because of money issues. You can understand why he is having second thoughts: he does not really want to do the Pacquiao rematch.
Verily, do not be surprised if Mayweather makes yet another “surprising” announcement on the Pacquiao fight.
Welcome to Hotel Mayweather.