It has been repeated over and over again but it looks like the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch will finally show something credible this week. That is if the claims of the Filipino boxer-senator to a local news outlet in the Philippines is to be believed.
According to Rappler.com, Manny Pacquiao has allegedly confirmed that talks are ongoing and that an all-important update could come out soon. The question came up when a reporter was trying to get an update on who the Filipino pug would be facing next.
The update could mean something or nothing since Pacquiao has often mentioned that a rematch with Mayweather is always an option. Ironically, Mayweather's team has also doused water each time the topic comes up - something that is likely to happen once again.
The thing here is that Mayweather has the final say on whether he will fight again or not. The American boxer has not fought since 2015 but has appeared in several exhibition boxing matches against mixed martial arts fighters.
Among the ones he has faced include Conor McGregor back in 2017. Just last New Year's Eve, he made short work of Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, finishing him off in the first round. As mentioned in a previous post, another mixed martial artist in Demetrious Johnson would be open to facing Mayweather in the boxing ring for three rounds.
The difference between Pacquiao and Mayweather is that both are following different paths. Pacquiao continues to face real boxers while Mayweather seems to be more interested in fighting if the price is right.
So looking ahead, a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao may only happen if the earnings are too hard to resist. Not too many are thrilled to see a sequel since most were left disappointed when the two first met in 2015. Most are skeptical and believe that a rematch will pretty much turn out the same.
With Pacquiao firing the first shot of teasing a rematch, Mayweather could be coming out with an announcement of his own. It is not expected to be a good one for boxing fans, a ploy that the American boxer can use to figure out if a second fight makes sense (particularly in the financial aspect).
Floyd Jr. will keep his options open and likely don his trunks if he will earn big. Pacquiao, on the other hand, may best stay the course and face actual fighters such as Errol Spence Jr.
