Floyd Mayweather has still not confirmed a rematch with Manny Pacquiao — and his silence now casts serious doubt over whether the fight is happening at all.
While Pacquiao and his team continue to push the narrative that a second fight is agreed, Mayweather has said nothing beyond suggesting any return would be an exhibition, with his unbeaten record not on the line.
That gap between the two sides has only widened, leaving one version being pushed publicly while the other remains absent.
Pacquiao insists deal is done
Pacquiao has repeatedly stated that the contract in place is for a fully sanctioned professional bout, not an exhibition.
“The contract that we signed is a real fight,” Pacquiao said. “It’s either a real fight or nothing.”
His team has gone further, maintaining that agreements have been signed and financial commitments made, with Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur previously outlining those details during multiple interviews, including discussions with World Boxing News.
At that stage, the message was clear — the fight was on, and it would be contested under full professional rules.
Mayweather silence tells a different story
Mayweather’s position has not matched that certainty.
The former five-weight world champion has yet to confirm a rematch in any official capacity and has only referenced exhibition terms when discussing a possible return to the pro ranks.
There has been no announcement from Mayweather Promotions, no formal event launch, and no confirmation from any broadcaster despite reports linking Netflix to the project.
Even that element has gone quiet, with no visible promotion or backing to suggest a major fight announcement is imminent.
Mathur, who was vocal during the initial rollout, has also stepped away from public comment in recent weeks.
A familiar Mayweather pattern
The situation mirrors previous instances where fight reports gained traction without ever being confirmed.
Earlier this year, a proposed exhibition involving Mike Tyson followed a similar path, with a reported date circulating before passing without either man formally addressing its status.
Mayweather has long maintained a consistent stance on such situations.
“Nothing is confirmed unless you hear it here first,” he said during his career, a standard he has continued to follow into his exhibition era.
Until that confirmation comes directly from Mayweather, speculation alone has never been enough to make a fight real.
Unresolved, not imminent
Pacquiao’s position remains unchanged, with the expectation inside his camp that the rematch proceeds as a genuine professional contest.
However, without Mayweather publicly aligning with those terms, the situation remains unresolved — and increasingly doubtful.
At this point, the direction is becoming clear.
For all the talk surrounding a second meeting, only one side is actively driving the narrative while the other has yet to move.
Until Floyd Mayweather says it himself, there is no fight — only one-sided noise.
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.