Floyd Mayweather Jr. will reportedly be ringside at Manny Pacquiao’s fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios this Saturday, July 19th, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Mayweather Ringside: Will a ‘Bank Heist’ Rematch Be Announced?
It’s believed that the 48-year-old Mayweather could climb into the ring after the fight to start promoting a lucrative, multi-million-dollar rematch between them, if Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is victorious. Mayweather coming back for another bank heist would rub a lot of fans the wrong way. However, the sentimental ones that remember Floyd during his best years would gladly purchase a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch on PPV.
Aging Superstars: Pacquiao vs. Barrios
If the rematch between two aging superstars happens, it’s predictable that the price tag would be similar to their clash in 2015. Billed as ‘The Fight of the Century,’ it sold for $99 in high definition and $89.95 for standard.
It would be the ultimate oddity if Mayweather comes out of his eight-year retirement and gets an immediate title shot for the WBC 147-lb title against 46-year-old Pacquiao. For Floyd to be granted a title shot after eight years would likely create even more backlash than Pacquiao receiving an immediate title shot after being retired for four years. What sport does this?
What could save fans from seeing this spectacle is the likelihood of Pacquiao losing to Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), who is a lot younger at 30. Barrios recently beat Yordenis Ugas, a fighter who sent Pacquiao into retirement with a loss in 2021. If Mario fights at the same level he did against Ugas, Pacquiao has little chance of beating him because he looked impressive in that fight.
Boxing’s “Old Guy Belt” Debate
“If Manny does land that home run [against Mario Barrios, we’re going to see Floyd vs. Manny,” said Ade Oladipo to DAZN Boxing. “100%, Floyd will fight Manny if Manny wins. Can you imagine how big that fight is?
“If Manny wins, he’s the WBC [welterweight] champ. He’s fighting Floyd for the WBC title?” said Ariel Helwani. “All of a sudden, it becomes the old guy belt, the green belt?”
“You don’t think [WBC president] Mauricio Sulaiman won’t do this?” said Ade.
“No, I don’t,” said Helwani.
“They put Manny Pacquiao in the [WBC] rankings. Floyd will fight Manny,” said Ade.
Last Updated on 07/15/2025
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