Manny Pacquiao’s $4 Million Mistake: 3 Biggest Hurdles for a Floyd Mayweather Rematch

If you ask any boxing fan whether the success of Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao could be replicated, you’ll hear the same words. A straight no. $600 million in revenue and 4.4 million PPV buys sum up the boxing mania the two put in the summer of 2015. While there have been demands for a rematch, the talks never reached home. But is it really possible? Will the two modern greats once again trade punches in the squared circle?

This time, the answer is a bit complicated. With each passing day, the hype and the probability subside. ‘PacMan’ did give a new air to the rumors when he declared to have agreed to the rematch at a RIZIN event in Japan recently. However, it turned out to be a $4 million mistake. Pacquiao’s untimely announcement had Mayweather receiving an upfront payment of $4 million from the Japanese Promotion company. The same was also confirmed by Mayweather in a recent podcast appearance. However, the surety of the fight being made is still questionable. Why? The hurdles are many, and the challenges are stiff.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao: Promotion and streaming debacle

Almost a decade ago, it was HBO and Showtime. In 2024, neither exits. As Pacquiao had exclusive ties with HBO and Mayweather with Showtime, it took a painstaking effort from both broadcasters to meet each other’s demands. The result? An unlikely collaboration between the two. But it was simpler still.

With the exit of Showtime and the entry of Amazon Prime, the issues are larger. The alternatives are less popular, and cable broadcasting is struggling to survive. Markedly, when ‘Money’ fought John Gotti III most recently, it was Zeus Network who streamed the fight for $19.99.

So where would you prefer to watch one of the most anticipated rematches, fought with no professional rules? Would you like to shell out more money besides your subscription if it’s on Amazon Prime? These questions remain. For promoters, the negotiations will take longer due to uncertainty. That’s not even the primary concern.

The hype train needs repairs

When the Filipino boxer announced his rematch with Mayweather, the crowd in Japan had a neutral reaction. They saw through the gimmick. The silent treatment also hinted at the buzz around the rematch. The hype has taken a hit.

Something similar happened when Canelo Alvarez fought Gennady Golovkin in their trilogy fight. After the first two close and exciting fights, it took them four years to run it back. While everyone wanted it, it happened too late, and the hype had evaporated by then. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao suffers from the same, an ever-dwindling hype.

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Moreover, the fans never got the exciting and high-paced action in the first encounter either. Pacquiao entered the ring with a torn rotator cuff and was merely a shadow of his former self. Meanwhile, Mayweather danced around and jabbed his way to a defensive and boring unanimous decision win. The interest in a rematch has dipped because of the disappointing action and matchup the first time. Almost a decade later, no one wants to see the two former world champions chase around each other, hardly pulling any punches in the squared circle. In addition, the rematch doesn’t even meet the list of priorities for the two boxers.

A case of divided attention for ‘Money’ and ‘PacMan’

While the American boxer-turned-promoter is busy expanding his business ventures, Pacquiao is still figuring out his boxing comeback. The latter also has a booming political career in Indonesia, and after the death of his Olympic dream, he is focused on his upcoming exhibition match against Buakaw Banchamek.

The 45-year-old also has a long list of suitors in Conor McGregor, Gervonta Davis, and Ryan Garcia and is torn apart in having his pick. On the other hand, Mayweather has his exhibition lined up against Gotti III. The Mayweather Promotions also demand his attention, and therefore, the boxing gods need to smile to ensure the paths of both fighters align, which seems unlikely now.

Mayweather knows this. When Pacquiao uttered his name in Japan, RIZIN sent Mayweather a $4 million check as a guarantee money. RIZIN might want a pale replication of the most iconic matches in boxing history. But that remains a distant dream as of now.

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What do you make of a probable rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather? Do you believe the fight will happen anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below.