The planned rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. has become the subject of controversy after conflicting statements regarding the nature of the bout. The fight was previously announced for 2026 on September 19 in Las Vegas and was billed as a professional contest.
However, recent comments from Mayweather have created uncertainty about whether the event will go ahead as planned. Pacquiao’s promotional team responded by pointing to signed agreements that define the fight as a professional match.
The situation has put both camps at odds, with each side maintaining a different position. As preparations continue, the status of the fight remains unclear, and further developments are expected in the coming weeks.
Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur said in an interview with ESPN that the agreements between the two fighters clearly define a professional fight. “Right now, the fight is still on. There is no termination of any kind, and he has signed for a professional fight.”
He said that many agreements were signed over time. “Floyd Mayweather signed not one, not two, but three separate agreements with two different parties on three different dates that ultimately intertwined in the month of January. The first was on October 24, the second was on November 6, the third was on December 14.”
Mathur said payments were made after each settlement. “He got money when he signed all three agreements. Not only that, but he also took an advance out of his own purse for his fight against Pacquiao.”
He also pointed to documentation supporting the claims. “We have the document proof as well as the wet signature along with his device ID, his IP address and everything in there.”
Mathur said Mayweather’s recent comments put him in violation. “Since the day he went out and said what he said he has been violating it.”
Floyd Mayweather describes fight as an exhibition
Mayweather gave a different account during an interview. “We don’t know the location of the battle. The Sphere is one of the locations they talked about. And it’s not really a battle. It’s an exhibition.”
His comments raised questions about whether the bout would be a sanctioned competition. The event was linked to The Sphere in Las Vegas, although Mayweather said the venue had not been confirmed.
Mathur responded directly to those comments, saying the agreements did not include conditions for the exhibition. He also said that no issue was raised earlier in this process.
“Nobody has raised anything in these last three months related to the venue or the fight not being a professional fight.”
Fighting situation remains unresolved ahead of September date
The disagreement has made the fighting situation uncertain. The match is scheduled for September 19, but both sides have not confirmed its format.
Mathur also issued a direct response to Mayweather’s stance. “If he does not want to put his record on the line in a professional boxing match, he should never have entered into any of these agreements.”
The two fighters last met in 2015, when Mayweather won via unanimous decision. That fight attracted global attention and set pay-per-view records.
At this stage, both camps stand firm on their positions. The promoter says the signed agreements require a professional fight, while Mayweather has publicly described it as an exhibition. Further updates are expected as discussions continue ahead of the scheduled date.
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