Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao Rematch Is What We All Want but It’ll Suffer a Similar Fate as Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin Trilogy

With one notable exception, by 2014, Floyd Mayweather Jr. had accomplished all necessary to reach the pinnacle of boxing greatness. He had yet to face a boxer who chalked out his glorious legacy parallel to his, climbing one division after another and demolishing one big name after another. Roughly a year after he became the WBO Welterweight Champion on April 12, 2014, Manny Pacquiao entered the ring for what was nominally a second title defense. In front of him stood Floyd Mayweather Jr. It is safe to say that, compared to the average boxing battle, theirs was anything but routine. They were two of the greatest boxers of the era.

A clash between two living legends ignited a hype never seen before. But did it live up to those expectations? It’s roughly 4.6 PPV subscriptions, raked in over $400 million—a record yet to be broken. The fight itself, though, prompted a different set of commentary. It’s been eight years since the ‘Fight of the Century‘ concluded. Though indistinct, there have been talks about bringing the two now-retired boxing greats together for one final clash. However, there’s a lot of skepticism surrounding its fate. What if it ends up a dud like other similar attempts?

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao II: Anticipation vs. Reality

Many boxing die-hards would be delighted to see Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao square off again. Undoubtedly, it could as well be a battle of legacies. The American champion retired an undefeated, former five-division champion. The ‘PacMan,’ though he fought his last battle until 2021, had his fair share of losses. Nevertheless, no one can match the feat he pulled off, becoming the champion in eight divisions. So where’s the problem?

Firstly, the 2015 fight itself didn’t meet the expectations of most fans and pundits. Manny Pacquiao threw far too few punches than usual. More significantly, he couldn’t overcome Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s defensive mastery. On the other hand, the latter, too, couldn’t escape the boos from the spectators for his non-offensive approach. Many legendary boxers shared their candid observations. Oscar De La Hoya said, “Call me old school, but I like the fans getting their money’s worth by watching an action-packed fight.”

Next, there’s hardly much of an age difference between Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao. While the former turned 46 this year, the latter will turn 45 on December 17. So even if they agree to face each other, it’s doubtful whether they will resort to a full-on attack on each other. In all likelihood, reduced mobility with advancing years might see them give in to a more defensive approach. In a nutshell, it’s back to square one.

Then, the money matters. Much time has elapsed since they fought, which was already five years late. Therefore, even their most ardent supporters might admit that Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao’s once massive fan bases have dwindled. Thus, to organize an event on such a grand scale and expect gains that are at least commensurate, if not exceed the first edition, might as well be a high-risk, low-return affair.

The Fate of Other Trilogy: A Study

A close perusal of what happened to one of the most recent fights could help in understanding the feasibility, or rather non-feasibility, of holding a Mayweather Jr.-Pacquiao rematch. Canelo Alvarez became an undisputed champion in 2021 after defeating Caleb Plant. Roughly a year later, he met Gennady Golovkin during the first title defense. The Mexican icon won the fight unanimously, thus putting an end to their bitter rivalry.

However, despite all attempts, commercially, the fight reportedly generated revenue that barely matched their previous two meetings—four years had passed when the duo finally met for the third time to close all open debates. By that time, ‘GGG’ had already turned 40. A clear favorite, Canelo Alvarez won the match via unanimous decision. But it was the business part that left many surprised.

According to an article on Marca, HBO aired the first two matches between Alvarez and Golovkin. While the first one witnessed over 1.3 purchases, the second one was 1.1 in the United States alone. It was expected that the third fight would bring in similar figures. But unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Ace boxing reporter Dan Rafael shared over a tweet that the Alvarez and Golovkin trilogy managed barely 550 and 570 buys in the United States.

Thus, given the multiple factors, there remains a high chance of the Mayweather Jr.-Pacquiao rematch witnessing identical commercial worth.

Final Word

Most important of all, what if the match’s outcome is not similar to the previous one? If Mayweather Jr. loses or Pacquiao loses once again, the larger question is, would they risk a dent in their established names?

Unlike many other famous boxers, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao don’t have anything to prove anymore. Both now stand at a place from where the vision only travels downward. Their records and persona remain peerless. In the pantheon of greatest boxers, their names are etched out for times immemorial. Thus, a rematch basically may not appear to be adding any further value to their already established legacies.

Read More: Years After 4.6 Million PPV Selling Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao Fight, Joe Rogan Makes Confession on an Iconic Rematch

Which is your favorite fight that deserves a sequel? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

Watch This Story: Joe Rogan Ended ‘The Best Ever’ Debate During Floyd Mayweather vs. Vasyl Lomachenko Conversation in Past