Boxing greats Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather agree to a rematch

Boxing stars Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have agreed to a professional rematch next September.

Pacquiao, 47, and Mayweather, 48, will face off at Sphere Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, September 19, and the bout will be shown live on Netflix.

Former world champion Mayweather announced last week that he would retire for the fourth time.

This will be the American’s first professional fight since his victory over mixed martial arts competitor Conor McGregor by technical knockout in the tenth round in 2017.

Filipino Pacquiao retired from sports to focus on his political career in 2021, but he returned to the ring last July to face World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mario Barrios, who retained his title after a draw.

Mayweather and Pacquiao first met in 2015, in what was described as the “fight of the century” and remains the richest in boxing history.

It was Mayweather who emerged victorious, defeating Pacquiao by wide unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

“Floyd and I gave the world what remains of the greatest fight in boxing history,” Pacquiao said.

“The fans have waited long enough. They deserve this rematch.

“I want Floyd to live with the only loss on his career record and always remember who gave it to him.”

“I’ve already fought and beaten Manny once. This time the result will be the same,” Mayweather said.

Mayweather has won all 50 of his professional bouts, including 27 by knockout.

He has had a series of exhibition bouts since retiring in 2017 and is set to face Mike Tyson this year.

Pacquiao, who has 62 wins from 73 fights, said in October that the pair were close to agreeing to a rematch, but added that it depended on whether he and Mayweather could “understand each other.”

Their previous meeting in 2015 generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and a record $72 million live gate at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Full details regarding the undercard and ticket availability will be announced in the coming weeks.