Manny Pacquiao stated today that he hasn’t spoken directly to Floyd Mayweather Jr. about a potential fight if he wins on Saturday night against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) said he’ll discuss the Mayweather rematch after the fight.
(Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions)
Floyd Ringside Speculation
Mayweather, 48, will reportedly be ringside for Pacquiao’s comeback against Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs. There’s a lot of talk about Floyd being allowed to enter the ring afterward to publicly call out Pacquiao for a fight for the WBC belt.
“Manny Pacquiao is different than others,” said Pacquiao to the media after the final press conference when asked why he hasn’t lost speed at 46. “Not yet,” said Pacquiao on whether he’s had talks with Floyd Mayweather Jr. to fight him next if he dethrones WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday.
A rematch between Pacquiao, 46, and Mayweather, 47, would be hard for fans to take seriously, given their ages and the many years they’ve both been retired. Mayweather hung up his gloves in 2017 after beating Conor McGregor. Mayweather coming out of an eight-year retirement to challenge Pacquiao for the WBC 147-lb title on PPV would be difficult for fans to understand.
No Mayweather Distraction
“I don’t have that in my mind right now. That’s not my focus for Saturday. I always say, ‘One at a time.’ Let’s talk about it after the fight,” said Manny about a rematch with Mayweather. “Let me focus on this fight [Barrios]. It’s not an easy opponent. He’s a champion. I have to be 100% mentally and physically.”
Pacquiao isn’t rejecting the idea of a rematch with Mayweather, which tells you all you need to know. He wants that fight and would jump at the chance to face Floyd in a rematch rather than lose his WBC title in his first defense against one of the talented contenders in the rankings.
Last Updated on 07/16/2025
Read the full article here