The boxing world is abuzz with anticipation as the long-awaited rematch between two of the sport’s most legendary figures, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, has officially been confirmed. This highly anticipated second encounter is slated for September 19, 2026, at the state-of-the-art Sphere arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Fans across the globe will be able to witness this monumental event live, as it is scheduled for worldwide broadcast exclusively on Netflix.
News of this colossal matchup, initially reported by ESPN on February 23, 2026, comes just days after Mayweather, now 49 years old, publicly declared his intention to return to professional boxing. His decision marks a significant comeback, nearly nine years after he initially retired from the sport in 2017, having maintained an immaculate 50-0 professional record.
Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao, aged 47, has already made his return to the professional ring. After retiring in 2021 to pursue a career in politics, the Filipino boxing icon re-entered competition last July, battling WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a draw. Pacquiao also has another fight scheduled before the Mayweather rematch, preparing to face former Russian standout-turned-politician Ruslan Provodnikov, 42, on April 18, 2026, also in Las Vegas. Details regarding the weight class and number of rounds for that bout are yet to be finalized.
The rematch is being jointly promoted by Manny Pacquiao Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, setting the stage for another historic event. Their initial clash on May 2, 2015, dubbed ‘The Fight of the Century,’ captivated audiences worldwide. In that bout, Mayweather emerged victorious via a unanimous decision against Pacquiao. The first encounter, held in the United States, shattered numerous boxing records that still stand today, including an unprecedented 4.6 million pay-per-view buys online and generating over $410 million in revenue. It also set a new record for live gate receipts, earning $72.2 million.
Reflecting on their past encounter, Mayweather recently issued a confident statement: ‘I have fought and defeated Manny once. So this time, the result will be the same.’ This bold declaration only amplifies the excitement surrounding the upcoming fight. While the focus is now firmly on the Pacquiao rematch, it’s worth noting that speculation had previously surfaced last September regarding a potential 2026 exhibition match between Mayweather and American boxing legend Mike Tyson. However, as of now, no official dates or locations for a Mayweather-Tyson bout have been confirmed.
