Manny Pacquiao has issued an official statement clarifying that his proposed rematch with Floyd Mayweather is intended to proceed as a fully sanctioned professional fight.
The eight-division world champion moved to address what he described as misinformation surrounding the event while in Los Angeles this week promoting his son Jimuel Pacquiao’s second professional contest.
Pacquiao appeared calm during recent media appearances tied to the fight card, but the statement suggests growing frustration within his camp as uncertainty continues to surround the Mayweather rematch.
Pacquiao statement
Pacquiao said, “I wish to clear up any misinformation regarding my upcoming bout against Floyd Mayweather.
“From the beginning, my intention has been to give the fans what they truly want to see. A high-level, competitive sanctioned fight. I want to be very clear that the contract we signed is for a professional boxing match. This is not an exhibition; it is a real fight.”
“We are proud to partner with Netflix, a global platform that recognizes the magnitude of this event. Their announcement reflected the exact terms of our agreement. My team and I remain fully committed to the conditions of that contract and we are preparing for a professional-grade battle.”
“I am working hard now and started my gym training and I look forward to stepping back into the ring to prove that the fire is still there. Nothing has changed on our end and we expect the original terms of the agreement to be honored.”
Growing frustration
Pacquiao’s statement arrives amid an increasingly complicated situation surrounding the event.
World Boxing News previously reported Pacquiao speaking to media upon arrival in L.A. on Thursday when debate raged over whether the bout could be downgraded to an exhibition.
As matters currently stand, Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur maintains that Mayweather signed agreements tied to a professional bout and has already received payments connected to the event.
The uncertainty also follows Mayweather casting doubt over the professional status of the rematch, comments that contradicted Pacquiao’s position.
Financial stakes
Pacquiao’s insistence on a professional contest is not only about competitive pride.
If the fight were shifted to exhibition status, the financial structure of the event could change significantly.
Without Mayweather placing his undefeated record on the line, the sporting stakes surrounding the rematch would diminish and the overall value of the event could drop.
Los Angeles visit
Pacquiao’s presence in Los Angeles holds significant meaning for his family as his son Jimuel’s return for his second professional fight. The 25-year-old attempts to rebound from a majority draw in his debut at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula.
Despite the attention surrounding his son’s development, the conversation around Pacquiao continues to drift back toward the Mayweather situation.
For now, Pacquiao’s message remains straightforward.
The contract, in his view, has not changed, and the expectation inside his camp is that the long-discussed rematch proceeds as a genuine professional fight rather than a spectacle.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.