Pacquiao’s praise for Mayweather amid 2026 rumors
Amid talk of a rematch between the two boxing greats, Manny Pacquiao highlighted a number of Floyd Mayweather’s skills in the ring.
For nearly a decade, Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s name loomed over Manny Pacquiao’s legacy like a shadow. They shared the same era, the same spotlight, and the same expectations. When they finally met on May 2, 2015, in Las Vegas, the world watched as if it were the final chapter. But boxing rarely deals in definitive endings.
Now, almost 11 years later, Pacquiao has once again invoked Mayweather’s name. In a video released by the International Boxing Federation, the Filipino icon broke down who he considers the best in various aspects of the sport. For defense, jab, and footwork - he named Mayweather. For boxing IQ and endurance - Juan Manuel Márquez. Personality? Marco Antonio Barrera. Power? Julio César Chávez.
And when asked to name the greatest of all time, Pacquiao pointed to himself.
Rematch in prospect?
The moment might seem playful or anecdotal, but it comes amid reports from The Ring and BoxingScene that Pacquiao and Mayweather are in early talks for a potential rematch in 2026, possibly streamed on Netflix.
Their 2015 bout still resonates in boxing history. Mayweather won by unanimous decision, retaining his WBC, WBA, WBO, and The Ring welterweight titles. The event shattered records, generating 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and over $600 million in revenue.
For years, that fight was seen as the final word. But now, both camps have reportedly reopened discussions. Netflix, which has recently ventured into boxing content, is said to be interested in broadcasting the rematch. Pacquiao, now 46, returned to the ring earlier this year and fought WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a draw - a performance that reignited debate about his relevance in the sport.
Mayweather, meanwhile, hasn’t fought professionally since 2017 but has remained active through exhibition bouts against social media personalities like Logan Paul and Deji Olatunji. He’s also in talks for a spring 2026 exhibition against Mike Tyson.
“A real fight”
Speaking to BoxingScene shortly after The Ring broke the story, Pacquiao made his intentions clear: if the fight happens, he wants it to be official. “A real fight,” he said. His team is reportedly working toward a date in the first half of 2026, contingent on both sides reaching an agreement.
The idea of Netflix streaming the bout reflects a shift in boxing’s business model - where digital platforms chase historic content and audiences blend nostalgia with curiosity. For the company, it’s a strategic move. For the fighters, it’s a chance to finally close the book on a rivalry that helped define an era.
Still, the road to a deal is anything but smooth. One official involved in the negotiations told The Ring: “You have to move mountains to get these two giant egos to agree.”
Whether the fight materializes remains to be seen. But Pacquiao’s recent comments have already left a mark - and perhaps, opened the door to one last dance.
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