It would appear that Floyd Mayweather is open into a possible rematch with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao. Despite denying this possibility since after their bout on May 2015, it appears that Mayweather is not putting the rematch into serious consideration.
In a recent interview, Mayweather said, "We don't know ... only time will tell." With this cryptic message, some sports analysts have noted that the undefeated welterweight is finally considering signing a new contract out of retirement to give Pacquiao one more shot at glory.
With a perfect record of 49 wins and no losses, Mayweather hung his boxing gloves in September 2015 after a unanimous with against Andre Berto. Nevertheless, he was talked out of retirement in 2017 to face UFC star Conor McGregor in one of the most lucrative sports events in recent history. In December of that same year, he faced Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nakamura in an exhibition match.
Mayweather has, on several occasions, ruled out the possibility of a Pacquiao rematch. Even his advisor Leonard Ellerbe went as far as claiming that Mayweather has "zero interest" in having the rematch, this is despite the fact that there are a number of talks about it.
The two boxers have traded verbal punches on a number of social media posts. Pacquiao's hunger for a rematch was further fueled by his recent win against Keith Thurman. Pacquiao finally handed Thurman the first loss of his career, and once again claimed the WBA welterweight title.
As for Mayweather, he accuses Pacquiao of "using his name" in order to stay in the limelight. Although Pacquiao has stated the complete opposite and has challenged the undefeated boxer for a rematch on several occasions.
Pacquiao's long-time trainer Freddie Roach also chimed in into the possibility of a rematch. The hall of fame trainer noted Mayweather's quiet exit after Pacquiao's bout against Thurman as a sign that he is "scared."
In an interview with PBC, Roach said, "I'm not sure. Mayweather seems to be a little evasive. He was real quiet. He didn't stay at the fight after the decision was announced and call anyone out like he usually does."
Roach later added that Mayweather might have been scared of what he had seen during the Thurman bout. Considering the fact that Pacquiao is already 40-years-old and managed to knock down the much younger Thurman in the first round, it would appear that the Filipino ring icon may still have some juice left in him.
