The situation escalated over the weekend when Mayweather hinted during a Las Vegas appearance that the bout could be turned into an exhibition and that the venue was not finalized. That directly contradicts what Pacquiao’s team says was agreed upon.
“As of right now, the fight is still on. There is no termination of any sort, and he has signed for a professional fight,” said Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. “Floyd Mayweather is officially in breach of his contract.”
Professional Fight vs. Exhibition
At the center of the dispute is a major issue: Mayweather reportedly wants an exhibition. Pacquiao’s team insists on a sanctioned pro fight According to Mathur, all contracts were signed with the understanding that the bout would be official.
“No one in these last three months has brought up anything related to the venue or related to the fight not being a professional fight,” Mathur said. “We have the DocuSign proofs… everything there.”
Tensions Boil Over
Mathur didn’t mince words when addressing Mayweather’s stance, suggesting the undefeated star may be reluctant to risk his perfect record. “If he’s scared of Manny and he does not want to put his record on the line… he should just come out and say it because Manny ain’t scared,” Mathur said. The comments echo the same tension that defined the lead-up to their first fight a bout that took years of negotiations before finally happening in 2015.
Scheduling Conflicts Add Fuel
Another complication involves Mayweather’s other commitments.
He is reportedly scheduled for:
- A June exhibition bout with Mike Zambidis
- Additional agreements across multiple events
According to Pacquiao’s camp, those commitments may conflict with contractual terms, potentially adding another layer to the dispute.
Financial Questions Surface
Money is also becoming a talking point.
Mathur claims Mayweather:
- Signed multiple agreements with different parties
- Received upfront payments for several fights
- Took an advance on the Pacquiao purse
These claims raise further questions about how or if all obligations can be honored.
History Repeating Itself?
The original Mayweather-Pacquiao fight was famously difficult to make, plagued by:
- Years of failed negotiations
- Public disputes
- Contractual disagreements
Now, more than a decade later, the rematch appears to be following a familiar script.
As it stands, the fight is still technically on.
But with:
- Conflicting visions (exhibition vs. pro fight)
- Contract breach claims
- Scheduling and financial complications
The biggest question remains: Will this mega-fight actually happen? Or is boxing once again watching a dream matchup slip through its fingers?
